EU ready to vote on anti-Chinese EV tariffs

THE European Union is set to vote on a plan to raise tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) sourced from China on September 25, according to a report published by Automotive News Europe.

The vote would pave the way for tariffs to commence from November unless a qualified majority – 15 member states representing 65 per cent of the EU’s population – opposes the move.

The European Commission is on the brink of proposing final tariffs of up to 35.3 percent on EVs built in China, on top of the EU's standard 10 per cent car import duty.

The proposed final duties will be subject to a vote by the EU's 27 states, with the definitive rules planned to apply after October 30.

Discussions on the issue are expected to be heightened next week when Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao visits Europe to discuss the matter with EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis.

China claims the measures are protectionist and has threatened to retaliate with duties of its own on a range of sectors while seeking an agreement to solve all the disputes as a package.

Beijing is also challenging the measures at the WTO.

The EU sees the Chinese investigations as retaliation and intends to defend its interests in all three probes, sources close to the matter told ANE.

Italy has thrown its weight behind the discussions this week with foreign minister Antonio Tajani saying the country backs the tariffs proposed by the European Commission.

“We support the duties that the EU Commission proposes, to protect the competitiveness of our companies,” he said.

It is understood Mr Wang and Mr Tajani met in Rome to discuss the anti-subsidy case against Chinese-made EVs, as well as the protection of intellectual property, trade in the agri-food sector and investment.

“We want to work on a trade plan based on equality, we demand equal access for our products in their markets. Our companies must compete on equal terms,” added Mr Tajani.

Italy remains a major automaker, and home to brands including Fiat, part of the Stellantis group.

It has also been seeking to attract Chinese OEMs including Chery and Dongfeng to open factories to raise vehicle output.

with Automotive News Europe