On Friday, the European Union voted to implement definitive tariffs on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) made in China. The EU stated that the proposal for these countervailing duties received necessary support from member states.
This decision follows the EU’s announcement in June to increase tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports, citing concerns over unfair subsidies and potential harm to European EV manufacturers. Individual tariffs were set based on companies’ cooperation during the investigation. Provisional duties were enacted in early July and later revised in September after receiving feedback from interested parties.
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The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU expressed strong disappointment with the vote, criticizing the EU for adopting what they view as protectionist measures. They urged the EU to reconsider and delay implementation in favor of negotiation-based solutions. Despite the adoption of tariffs, the EU indicated it remains open to exploring other options.
German automakers also voiced concerns about the decision. Mercedes-Benz labeled the tariffs a “mistake” and called for a delay in their implementation, while BMW described the action as a “fatal sign” for the European auto industry, according to Reuters. battery electric vehicles
