The World Trade Organization has officially determined that restrictions imposed by Turkey on Chinese electric and other vehicles violate international trade rules. The expert panel report states that Turkey’s additional tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and certain hybrid models are inconsistent with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994. Additionally, Turkey’s import permit system for these vehicles fails to align with GATT standards.
Turkey introduced higher tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China in March 2023 and planned to extend these restrictions to all passenger cars by July 2024. The country also launched an import licensing system for electric vehicles in December 2023, with the licensing process covering plug-in hybrids starting in September 2024.
In October 2024, China sought consultations with Turkey at the WTO regarding these measures. After talks failed, China formally requested the establishment of a dispute settlement panel in January 2025, which was authorized the following month.
The panel concluded that Turkey’s measures, to the extent they conflict with GATT 1994, undermine the benefits China should receive under the agreement. It advised Turkey to align its policies with its international obligations.
The trade authorities in China welcomed the WTO decision, calling on Turkey to respect the panel’s ruling and to take immediate steps to address the violations. A spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce emphasized that China remains committed to promoting high-quality trade and investment cooperation, particularly in new energy vehicles, in accordance with global trade rules to foster mutual development.
Since implementing tariffs and licensing restrictions on Chinese electric and hybrid vehicles in 2023, Turkey’s actions have contravened established multilateral trade agreements. These measures have seriously damaged China’s legitimate trade interests and impacted economic relations between the two nations.