EU: member countries validate customs duties on Chinese electric cars – LINFO.re

Taxes on Chinese electric cars

The member countries of theEuropean Union gave the green light to the imposition of customs duties on the electric cars imported from Chinereports Le Figaro. In total, ten states, including France and Italy, voted in favor of this system, twelve abstained and five voted against, according to diplomats speaking to the French press.

From now on, the European Commission can apply these customs duties compensators of up to 35% on Chinese-made battery vehicles, in addition to the already existing 10% tax.

Call to avoid a “trade war“

Germany opposed this decision because it fears a “trade war” with Chine. On X, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner urged Brussels to avoid this “trade war“, calling for “a negotiated solution” with Beijing.

Indeed, the German brands BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen are strongly established in the world’s largest Chinese automobile market. They therefore fear paying the price after this decision.
For their part, France and Italy have been supportive, because they want to strengthen their economies and ensure that Chinese-made cars do not compete unfairly.