- New taxes for Chinese electric cars in EU
New taxes for Chinese electric cars in EU
European Union (EU) countries on Friday cleared the way for additional duties of up to 35.3% on battery-powered electric cars imported from China, EU diplomats told dpa.
The European Commission announced the additional tariffs after an investigation revealed that Beijing is subsidizing domestic electric car makers, distorting the EU market. The Commission must now decide whether the import duties will take effect in early November.
The plans, which have caused confusion in EU capitals and among carmakers, could yet be scrapped if Brussels reaches an agreement with China at the negotiating table. Germany, which voted against the measure, has once again called for talks with Beijing to continue for fear of retaliation that could damage its large car industry.
On Friday, Berlin warned the European Union not to start a "trade war" with Beijing. "The commission headed by Ursula von der Leyen should not start a trade war despite the approval" of the tariffs, Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on the social network X.
Based on ELTA reports
