China’s Ministry of Commerce (MofCom) found in an internal study that the EU gave significant subsidies to telecom companies in violation of WTO rules, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. The study, meant for distribution within the ministry, found that the EU and EU member states had funded research and development projects totaling US$12.5 billion to three unnamed European telecom firms for the period of 2007-2013. The countries also extended export credits and loans to the firms. Further subsidies were extended to Nokia Siemens Networks and Telefon AB LM Ericsson (ERIC.NASDAQ, ERIC.B.OMX). The report could form the basis for a Chinese response to an EU finding that the Chinese government provided substantial financial support for Huawei Technologies and ZTE (0763.HK, 000063.SZ).