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After nine months of investigation, Europe has made its decision. On Wednesday June 12, the European Commission announced its intention to impose additional tariffs on imports of Chinese electric vehicles<\/strong>, a decision that could trigger major trade repercussions with Beijing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The new tariffs, which will range from 17.4% to 38.1%,<\/strong> target major Chinese manufacturers such as BYD, Geely, and SAIC (owner of the MG brand).<\/strong><\/a> These customs duties will be added to the current 10%<\/strong> tax, while the Chinese impose 15%<\/strong> taxes on European car imports.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This decision follows the investigation launched by Commission President Ursula Van der Leyen<\/strong> last September.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n “The battery-electric vehicle value chain in China benefits from unfair subsidies, posing a threat of economic harm to EU manufacturers,”<\/em> the Commission said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tariffs for the three main Chinese manufacturers will be precisely 17.4% for BYD, 20% for Geely and 38.1% for SAIC. The other manufacturers will be subject to an average duty ranging from 21% to 38.1%.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Brussels made it clear, however, that the decision adopted on Wednesday is “provisional”.<\/em> Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas<\/strong> has “been in contact”<\/em> with the Chinese authorities to “explore possible ways of resolving the problem”.<\/em> Failing a solution, the new duties will come into force on July 4.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n By introducing these new taxes, Brussels hopes to protect an industry employing 14.6 million people in the EU<\/strong>, while avoiding a potentially disastrous conflict with its second-largest economic partner after the USA. But the decision is not unanimously supported. Germany<\/strong>, which maintains close trade relations with China, is voicing its concerns about this potential “trade war”.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n German Transport Minister Volker Wissing<\/strong> warned of the consequences for German automakers, 35%<\/strong> of whose sales are made in China, thanks in particular to Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\nGermany concerned<\/h2>\n
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