SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (dpa-AFX) - German Finance Minister Christian Lindner has welcomed an investigation planned by the EU Commission into state support for electric cars from China. "It is right that fairness is established," the FDP politician said Friday at a meeting with his European counterparts in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. "Everything must follow the rules of the World Trade Organization. And if there are concerns there - following them up can only be welcomed."

France's Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire spoke of a fair decision. "We want a good partnership with China, but partnerships must be based on fair rules and a level playing field." Spanish Finance Minister Nadia Calviño said, "We have every interest in a rules-based trade framework that avoids any measures that could weaken or jeopardize the level playing field for companies around the world." She said she is convinced that the EU Commission will continue to pursue a trade policy based on an open, rules-based trade framework.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had announced an anti-dumping investigation into electric cars from China on Wednesday. Their price is artificially depressed with government subsidies, she said. Europe is open to competition, but not to an unequal undercutting race, she said./red/DP/ngu