EU advances towards 'trade war' with Beijing
The European Commission reports that member states have supported significant tariffs on electric vehicles manufactured in China. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Bloc members have provided “the necessary support” for steep tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars, according to the European Commission.
The Commission's decision to enforce tariffs on battery electric vehicles from China has garnered significant backing from EU members, as stated on the commission's website.
However, opponents of the measures caution the EU to avoid escalating tensions into a trade war with China.
This decision represents “another step” in concluding the EC’s anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles produced in China, which commenced in October 2023, as mentioned in a statement released on Friday.
The new tariffs vary from 7.8% for foreign automakers like Tesla, which produce their cars in other Asian nations, to 35.3% for Chinese companies that allegedly did not participate in the investigation. These new levies will be in effect for a period of five years, in addition to the EU's standard 10% import duty on vehicles.
“Today, the European Commission’s proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China has obtained the necessary support from EU Member States for the adoption of tariffs,” the Commission noted.
According to AFP, ten of the 27 EU member states, including France, Italy, and Poland, supported the introduction of the tariffs, while five countries, including Germany and Hungary, opposed them, and 12 abstained, including Spain and Sweden.
Brussels justifies the tariffs as essential for protecting European manufacturers from unfair competition, arguing that Chinese carmakers receive state subsidies.
Germany, the EU’s largest economy and a key player in the automotive sector, has raised significant concerns regarding the tariffs.
“[The] Commission should not trigger a trade war [with China]. We need a negotiated solution,” stated German Finance Minister Christian Lindner on X.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that the EU was on a path toward an “economic cold war” with China prior to the vote.
The EU indicated that it continues to engage with Beijing in search of “an alternative solution.” The new tariffs are anticipated to take effect by the end of October.
In August, the Chinese government disclosed that it had lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization regarding the tariffs, contending that they breach WTO regulations and disrupt global collaboration on climate change. Additionally, Beijing has initiated investigations into European imports of brandy, dairy, and pork products.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
The Commission's decision to enforce tariffs on battery electric vehicles from China has garnered significant backing from EU members, as stated on the commission's website.
However, opponents of the measures caution the EU to avoid escalating tensions into a trade war with China.
This decision represents “another step” in concluding the EC’s anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles produced in China, which commenced in October 2023, as mentioned in a statement released on Friday.
The new tariffs vary from 7.8% for foreign automakers like Tesla, which produce their cars in other Asian nations, to 35.3% for Chinese companies that allegedly did not participate in the investigation. These new levies will be in effect for a period of five years, in addition to the EU's standard 10% import duty on vehicles.
“Today, the European Commission’s proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China has obtained the necessary support from EU Member States for the adoption of tariffs,” the Commission noted.
According to AFP, ten of the 27 EU member states, including France, Italy, and Poland, supported the introduction of the tariffs, while five countries, including Germany and Hungary, opposed them, and 12 abstained, including Spain and Sweden.
Brussels justifies the tariffs as essential for protecting European manufacturers from unfair competition, arguing that Chinese carmakers receive state subsidies.
Germany, the EU’s largest economy and a key player in the automotive sector, has raised significant concerns regarding the tariffs.
“[The] Commission should not trigger a trade war [with China]. We need a negotiated solution,” stated German Finance Minister Christian Lindner on X.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that the EU was on a path toward an “economic cold war” with China prior to the vote.
The EU indicated that it continues to engage with Beijing in search of “an alternative solution.” The new tariffs are anticipated to take effect by the end of October.
In August, the Chinese government disclosed that it had lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization regarding the tariffs, contending that they breach WTO regulations and disrupt global collaboration on climate change. Additionally, Beijing has initiated investigations into European imports of brandy, dairy, and pork products.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
