The European Union and China agreed Thursday to intensify discussions as the two sides seek ways to avert looming tariffs on electric cars ahead of a deadline that’s only days away.

Brussels and Beijing have agreed to step up efforts to resolve the ongoing dispute over Chinese-made electric vehicles (EV).

China's commerce minister said on Wednesday that Beijing will continue to negotiate "until the last minute" on the European Union's electric vehicle probe, with the investigation undermining confidence of Chinese companies investing in Europe.

The trade dispute involving electric vehicle (EV) exports from China to the European Union (EU) continues to draw widespread attention, with just over a month to go before the EU reaches a decision regarding the definitive duties it plans to impose on Chinese EVs.

Europe needs China as a “strategic partner” in helping build the bloc’s electric vehicle industry, a top Spanish official said, echoing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s position against EU plans to slap tariffs on Chinese cars.

The European Commission and China agreed to intensify efforts to avert EU import tariffs on China-built electric vehicles and could re-examine a minimum-price deal previously rejected by the EU, the Commission said on Thursday.

Brussels and Beijing have agreed to take a new look at price undertakings, which could avoid extra tariffs on China-made electric vehicles.

Makiyama, Director of the European Centre for International Political Economy, speaks to CGTN Europe about the talks between Minister of Commerce of China Wang Wentao and Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis.