The European Commission has investigated subsidies given to electric vehicle makers in China. Speaking at her annual State of the Union address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe is open to competition but not for a "race to the bottom" caused by artificially low Chinese EV prices set by large state subsidies. The probe will examine whether Chinese EV exports to Europe received unfair subsidies and whether this negatively impacts the European electric vehicle industry. European automakers have previously voiced concerns about growing competition from new Chinese EV brands seen to be propped up by state support.