The European Union’s decision to impose additional tariffs of up to 38.1% on electric vehicles imported from China has drawn criticism from Beijing and raised concerns about a potential trade war. The move follows an investigation into China’s state support for its EV industry, which the EU believes is causing harm to European carmakers, reports 美国有线电视新闻网.

欧盟在保护与绿色目标之间取得平衡

The EU’s provisional decision to hike tariffs on Chinese EVs highlights the bloc’s increasingly protective stance on trade with China. Western officials are concerned that strategically important industries could be wiped out by cheap Chinese imports. However, the EU must also balance protecting its industry with delivering on commitments to green its economy, including a ban on the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars from 2035.

The European Commission stated, “The EU’s green transition cannot be based on unfair imports at the expense of EU industry.”

对中国电动汽车制造商征收不同关税

欧盟对中国三大电动汽车制造商征收了不同程度的新关税：

比亚迪：17.1% 额外关税
Geely (owner of Volvo): 20% additional duty
SAIC：38.1% 额外任务

Other Chinese EV makers that cooperated with the EU investigation will face a 21% additional duty, while those that did not will be subject to an extra 38.1% duty. Tesla, which manufactures many of its cars in China, could receive an individually calculated duty rate at a later stage.

China’s Response and Potential Consequences

China’s Ministry of Commerce accused the EU of “creating and escalating trade tensions” and vowed to take “all necessary measures to firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.”

新关税可能导致北京和布鲁塞尔之间为避免破坏性贸易战而进行激烈谈判。

European automakers also face risks, as many manufacture cars in China and sell them in Europe, which will become more costly due to the higher tariffs. Additionally, German carmakers rely heavily on China for sales, and retaliation by Beijing could make life harder for them.

欧盟成员国在关税问题上存在分歧

EU member states are divided on the tariffs, with France and Spain in favor, while Germany is firmly opposed.

德国总理奥拉夫-肖尔茨对保护主义和孤立主义发出警告，称其 "最终只会让一切变得更加昂贵，让每个人变得更加贫穷"。

EVXL’s Take

The EU’s decision to hike tariffs on Chinese EVs is a significant development in the global EV market. While the move aims to protect European automakers, it also risks escalating trade tensions with China, a crucial market for many European companies. As the world transitions towards a greener future, it is essential for nations to find a balance between supporting their domestic industries and fostering international cooperation to achieve shared climate goals.

对中国电动汽车制造商征收的不同关税可能会导致市场动态发生变化，一些公司比其他公司更有能力吸收额外成本。中国电动汽车制造商在欧盟境内建立生产设施的可能性（比亚迪已承诺在匈牙利建立生产设施），也有助于它们规避关税，保持竞争优势。

As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor the negotiations between the EU and China and the potential consequences for the global EV industry. The outcome of this trade dispute could have far-reaching implications for the adoption of electric vehicles and the pace of the world’s transition to a more sustainable future.