Any agreement reached with Chinese producers on minimum prices for electric vehicles should be as effective and enforceable as the tariffs imposed by the EU last week, the European Union's likely future trade chief said on Monday.
The EU increased tariffs on electric vehicles made in China by up to 45.3% last Wednesday, but negotiations continue to avoid them through price commitments – minimum price commitments for imported cars.
Maros Sefcovic, EU trade commissioner-designate, told a parliamentary committee that EU trade officials were in China for talks.
“What is very important for us is that even if you opt for (price commitments), they must be as effective and enforceable as the import duties that we have introduced. So it is absolutely essential for us,” he said.
Mr Sefcovic is one of 26 commissioners appointed by Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European executive, and subject to hearings in the European Parliament this week and next week. The next Commission must be approved by Parliament before it can start work.
Mr Sefcovic, originally from Slovakia, has held various commissioner positions since 2009.
