Brussels: China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao is set to visit Brussels next week for critical discussions with the European Union (EU) over impending tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The talks, scheduled for September 19, will be held with the EU's Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis as Beijing attempts to halt tariffs that could reach up to 36% on Chinese electric cars.

The European Commission, which governs the EU's trade policy, announced the tariffs last month following an anti-subsidy probe that determined Chinese car manufacturers unfairly benefited from state subsidies. If approved by the EU's 27 member states, the tariffs would become permanent and last for five years, with a final vote expected by the end of October.

Wang's visit comes as divisions over the tariffs grow within the bloc. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on the EU to "reconsider" the duties, a move welcomed by Germany, a nation home to some of the world's largest carmakers. German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit confirmed that Berlin shares Spain's stance on the issue.

China has taken multiple steps to counter the EU's tariffs, including filing an appeal with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and launching anti-subsidy investigations into EU dairy imports, following a similar investigation into pork imports from the bloc.

Despite offers from several Chinese exporters to adjust prices to meet EU concerns, the European Commission has so far deemed the proposals insufficient. However, the Commission remains open to finding a negotiated solution to resolve the matter.