EU imposes tariffs of up to 38% on Chinese electric vehicles
Al JazeeraJUN 20 2024
The European Union (EU) has voted in favor of extending tariffs against Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) first enforced this summer for a period of five years.
Tariffs will continue to reach up to 36% in addition to the bloc's 10% car import duty and following a European Commission investigation beginning last year alleging Chinese-state subsidies create an unfair advantage in the EV market.
While the European bloc has not made the outcome of the vote public, it has been reported that the measure passed with 10 countries in favor, five against, and 12 abstaining.
There's no need to be afraid of Beijing or its EV technology. Yet, as China opens up its manufacturing sector to foreign investment and seeks partnership with Europe, the West continues to spread fear and anxiety over the PRC's increasingly important place in the world. Today's decision by the EU is a step backward for international collaboration and the fight against climate change, with political agendas placed above world-leading innovation.
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