The new EU surcharges on Chinese electric cars pose “the risk of a large-scale trade conflict”, the German car industry lobby, VDA, lamented on Tuesday.
Today, the European Commission adopted a regulation introducing customs duties of up to 35% on imported Chinese electric vehicles, accused of creating a distortion of competition in the EU. These surcharges “are a step backwards for global free trade and, therefore, for the prosperity, maintenance of employment and growth of Europe,” denounced the federation of automobile manufacturers in a press release. These measures, which are added to the 10% tax already in force, will come into force on Thursday.
“More expensive vehicles for consumers”
The VDA warns that they will make “vehicles more expensive for consumers, which will jeopardize the rise of electric mobility.” This federation represents the country’s largest automobile manufacturers, from Volkswagen to Mercedes-Benz and BMW. “The industry is not naive in its relationship with China,” warns the federation, but these “issues must be resolved through dialogue.”
Berlin took issue with Brussels over setting up trade barriers to protect its automotive flagship, which is already in disrepair. With a weight of 20% in the national GDP, the share of automobile manufacturing in German industry exceeds that of most European countries.
This decision comes in the midst of a crisis in the Volkswagen group, which foresees tens of thousands of job cuts and the closure of three factories in Germany.
Source: BFM TV