The European Commission has a free hand to impose tariffs on Chinese electric cars. In a decisive vote by the EU member states on Friday morning, no majority was achieved against the tariffs, the SZ learned from diplomatic circles in Brussels. This means that countervailing duties of up to 35 percent could come into force in just a few weeks. At the same time, both sides are still trying to find a negotiated solution in order to avert an impending trade conflict.
The EU Commission accuses China of heavily subsidizing the entire value chain for electric cars and thus distorting the market. According to them, Chinese electric cars are usually around 20 percent cheaper than models made in the EU.
In the traffic light coalition, the FDP-led finance and transport ministries pushed for a German no vote in Brussels, while the Greens spoke out in favor of tariffs. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz ultimately voted no with his word of power. German car manufacturers and suppliers were also critical of the plan to introduce tariffs.
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