Italy Revs Up Support for EU’s Chinese EV Tariff Plan

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has voiced support for proposed European Union tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle (EV) exports. This stance comes ahead of a meeting with China’s commerce minister in Rome, according to Reuters.

Protecting European Competitiveness

“We support the duties that the EU Commission proposes, to protect the competitiveness of our companies,” Tajani told Corriere della Sera.

The European Commission is considering imposing tariffs of up to 35.3% on EVs built in China, on top of the EU’s standard 10% car import duty.

Italy’s support for these tariffs reflects growing concerns about China’s dominance in the EV market. However, it’s a complex issue for Italy, which remains a major carmaker and has been trying to attract Chinese automakers to open factories in the country.

Diplomatic Balancing Act

Despite backing the tariffs, Tajani insisted this position doesn’t compromise Italy’s “good relations” with China. The foreign minister met with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Rome, discussing issues like intellectual property protection and investment.

Italy’s stance on EV tariffs comes at a delicate time. The country recently left China’s Belt and Road infrastructure investment scheme, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited China in July to reset trade ties.

EU-China Tensions

The proposed tariffs are part of a broader EU anti-subsidy case against Chinese-made EVs. Minister Wang is currently touring Europe for discussions on this issue, with a meeting scheduled with EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on September 19.

EVXL’s Take

The debate over EV tariffs highlights the growing competition in the global electric vehicle market. As we’ve seen in recent Tesla news, established automakers and new entrants are vying for market share. Italy’s position underscores the challenge of balancing domestic industry protection with international trade relations.

This development could have significant implications for EV prices and availability in Europe. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out and how it might affect consumer choices. What do you think about these potential tariffs? Share your thoughts in the comments below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​