China has strongly criticized the European Union’s decision to impose tariffs of up to 38.1% on Chinese electric vehicles, calling it protectionist behavior and urging the EU to correct its “wrong practices,” reports Reuters. The reaction from China and other stakeholders, including European and Chinese automakers, highlights the opposition to the EU’s move and the desire to resolve the issue through dialogue.

China’s Response and Call for Dialogue

El portavoz del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores chino, Lin Jian, declaró: "Instamos a la UE a que escuche atentamente las voces objetivas y racionales de todos los sectores de la sociedad, corrija inmediatamente sus prácticas erróneas, deje de politizar las cuestiones económicas y comerciales, y gestione adecuadamente las fricciones económicas y comerciales mediante el diálogo y la consulta."

China argumenta que los aranceles ralentizarán la adopción de vehículos eléctricos, pondrán en peligro los objetivos climáticos y aumentarán los costes para los consumidores.

Espacio para la negociación

Despite the EU’s decision, there appears to be room for the two sides to continue discussions and find a solution.

La agencia estatal china de noticias Xinhua comentó: "Se espera que la UE escriba a una seria reconsideración y dejar de avanzar en la dirección equivocada".

The EU’s move comes shortly after the U.S. announced plans to quadruple duties on Chinese EVs to 100%.

Impacto en los fabricantes chinos de VE

The EU will impose additional tariffs ranging from 17.4% for BYD to 38.1% for SAIC, on top of the standard 10% car duty. SAIC, China’s largest automaker, expressed deep concern over the tariffs. Geely also voiced disappointment and vowed to take necessary measures to protect its rights. However, Chinese EV maker stocks mostly shrugged off the news, with BYD’s Hong Kong-listed shares closing up 5.8%.

European Automakers’ Stance

A pesar de la afluencia de vehículos eléctricos de bajo coste procedentes de rivales chinos, prácticamente no hay apoyo a los aranceles por parte del Europa‘s auto industry. Major automakers like BMW, Volkswagen, Stellantis, and Mercedes Benz, which heavily rely on sales in China, fear retaliation from Beijing. Shares in some of Europe’s biggest carmakers fell for a second day due to concerns over China’s potential response.

The EU’s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs has sparked strong opposition from China and other stakeholders. While China urges the EU to correct its “wrong practices” and engage in dialogue, there appears to be room for negotiation to avoid billions of dollars in new costs for Chinese EV makers. The impact of the tariffs on the global EV market and the potential for retaliation from China remain to be seen.

EVXL’s Take

The EU’s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs highlights the growing tensions in the global EV market. While the move aims to protect European automakers, it risks slowing down the adoption of EVs and increasing costs for consumers. As a pro-drone publication, EVXL believes that open competition and collaboration are essential for driving innovation and making EVs more accessible to the masses. The potential for retaliation from China could also have far-reaching consequences beyond the auto industry, affecting sectors such as food and beverages. It is crucial for the EU and China to engage in constructive dialogue and find a solution that benefits all stakeholders and supports the growth of the EV market.