EU to impose tariffs of up to 45% on EVs from China

Bloc to continue negotiations with Beijing in parallel to explore an alternative solution

The European Union voted on Oct 4 to impose tariffs as high as 45 per cent on electric vehicles (EVs) from China in a move set to increase trade tensions with Beijing.

The European Commission's proposal to impose definitive tariffs on Chinese-made EVs has obtained the necessary support from member states, the body said in a statement.

It added that it would continue negotiations with China in parallel "to explore an alternative solution that would have to be fully WTO (World Trade Organisation)-compatible, adequate in addressing the injurious subsidisation established by the commission's investigation, monitorable and enforceable".

The commission, the bloc's executive arm, can now proceed with implementing the duties, which would last for five years. Ten member states voted in favour of the measure, while Germany and four others voted against and 12 abstained.

China's Commerce Ministry expressed strong opposition to the EU's vote to impose tariffs on China-made EVs, calling this an "unfair, non-compliant and unreasonable" protectionist practice.