China has expressed its concerns over the European Union’s (EU) investigation into state subsidies for electric cars, warning that it will negatively impact trade relations between China and the EU. The Chinese commerce ministry issued a statement stating that the EU’s probe is an attempt to protect its domestic industry under the guise of fair competition and that it will disrupt and distort the global automotive industry supply chain. The investigation was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who aims to safeguard the EU’s automakers against unfair competition. China has called for dialogue and consultation with the EU to create a fair and predictable market environment for the joint development of the China-EU electric vehicle industry.