EU probe into Chinese electric vehicle exports, subsidies is protectionist, commerce ministry says

Open this photo in gallery: BYD electric cars waiting to be loaded on a ship are stacked at Suzhou Port, in China’s eastern Jiangsu Province, on Sept. 11.-/AFP/Getty Images China's Commerce Ministry has protested a decision by the European Union to investigate exports of Chinese electric vehicles, saying Thursday that it is a "protectionist" act aimed at distorting the supply chain. The EU announced Wednesday it will probe government subsidies provided to Chinese automakers that the EU contends keep EV prices artificially low. China has become the biggest market for electric vehicles after investing billions in subsidies to gain an…