As the EU moves to impose steep tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, China finds itself at a pivotal juncture in its evolving trade relationship with Europe.

China urged the European Union not to conduct price negotiations with individual electric vehicle manufacturers, as eight rounds of negotiations in Brussels failed to result in an agreement over planned tariffs by the bloc.

The European Union wants a level playing field with China on car tariffs and is negotiating with Beijing on mechanisms such as price commitments or investments in Europe as a solution, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.