On 12 October 2026 the MOFCOM spokesperson stated that China and the EU, under the trade-investment consultation mechanism, confirmed three principles for the hybrid vehicle trade arrangement: respect for the facts, non-discrimination, and compliance with WTO rules.
The spokesperson cited Eurostat data of 107,000 units imported by the EU from China in 2024 and 302,000 units in 2025, noting an upward arrangement based on the 2025 figure. On electric vehicles the spokesperson said the January soft landing continues, with the EU advancing the price-commitment procedures and other review procedures.
Who this affects
- For exporters: Chinese hybrid vehicle exporters operate under an arrangement that the parties confirmed will not discriminate against Chinese products and will comply with WTO rules.
- For investors: The arrangement is described as securing export space and stable growth for Chinese enterprises on the basis of the 2025 import volume of 302,000 units.
- For counsel/compliance: The three principles (respect facts, non-discrimination, WTO compliance) and China’s reservation of WTO dispute-settlement and trade-compensation rights form the stated framework for the hybrid vehicle trade arrangement.
- For policymakers: The statement records that any measures will not specifically target Chinese products and that China’s quota will not be lower than that of any other import source for the EU.
The read
The record places this statement as the Chinese side’s public elaboration of the 8–9 October consensus reached in the trade-investment mechanism. It anchors the hybrid vehicle arrangement to the three stated principles and to the Eurostat volumes, while separately confirming continuation of the EV anti-subsidy price-commitment track.
What was the action?
The MOFCOM spokesperson answered questions on the China-EU hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle consultation consensus, confirming the three principles for hybrid vehicles and the continuation of EV price-commitment procedures.
What’s the penalty / scope, and how is it set?
No penalty is stated. The action consists of the spokesperson’s confirmation of the three principles (respect facts, non-discrimination, WTO compliance) for the hybrid vehicle trade arrangement and the note that the EU will continue the electric vehicle price-commitment and other review procedures.
Who else is exposed?
Not specified in the record beyond the Chinese enterprises whose export space is referenced in the hybrid vehicle arrangement and the parties to the EV price-commitment process.
What happens next
The statement records that the EU will continue to advance the electric vehicle anti-subsidy case enterprise price-commitment procedures and other review procedures. No further deadline or next formal step is set out in the document.