The European Commission will continue to apply tariffs on the import of electric vehicles from China, after the vote held this Friday by the countries of the European Union did not reach a qualified majority against the proposal.
- In today’s vote, 10 countries voted in favor, five against and 12 abstained, sources confirmed.
“The proposal of the European Commission to impose definitive countervailing duties on the import of electric vehicles from China has today obtained the necessary support from the Member States,” the European Commission said in a statement.
Although Brussels assured that “the EU and China will continue to work hard to explore an alternative solution that is fully compatible with the World Trade Organization (WTO)”.
The tariffswhich have been applied provisionally since July, will now enter into force definitively when published in the Official Journal of the EU by 30 October at the latest.
Given the risk of entering a trade war with Chinathe division between the Twenty-Seven has been increasing in recent months, which has been evidenced by a fracture of the Franco-German axis, since Paris voted today in favor and Berlin, against.
Germany, in fact, has hardened its stance, since in a first vote non-binding in mid-July, decided to abstain.
Spain, for its part, yesterday asked the European Commission continue negotiating with China “until the last moment” within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to the letter that the Minister of Economy, Carlos Body, sent to the vice president of the European Commission and head of Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis.
Other scenarios
Brussels decided in July to apply duty up to 36.3% to the manufacturer SAIC, 19.3% to Geely and 17% to BYD, considering that they receive subsidies that harm EU manufacturers.
Some duty which also affect imports of the manufacturers Westerners that produce in China, such as Telsa, Dacio or BMW, which would be taxed at 21%.
In response to tariffs, China has initiated an investigation into imports of pork and dairy products from the EU, which for Spain represent a export invoice of almost 1.9 billion euros in the first case and 91 million in the second.
Brussels decided to challenge last week before the World Trade Organization (WTO) Chinese investigation into dairy products.
