The European Union has planned to raise the import duty on electric cars made in China to up to 38 percent.
The European Union and China confirm that they have opened negotiations on electric car tariffs.
EU spokesperson Olof Gill says that the Union Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held a “frank and constructive” discussion on Saturday about the EU’s investigation into state support for electric cars imported from China.
The EU is of the opinion that state support is too extravagant and distorts competition. That is why the EU has planned to raise customs duties on electric cars imported from China. The emphasis would apply to both Chinese car brands and foreign brands that are manufactured in China for the European market.
Visiting German trade minister currently in China Robert Habeck has confirmed the negotiations. According to him, the increase in customs fees is about equalizing an unfair competitive advantage.
The EU has planned that the increases would enter into force tentatively on July 4 and permanently in November.
Both sides say that negotiations will continue.
AFP, Reuters