Sanchez to the EU: let’s rethink tariffs on Chinese electric cars

Brussels – The European Union should “reconsider” tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, said Spanish government President Pedro Sánchez yesterday (Sept. 11) during his visit to China. “We do not need a new war, in this case, a trade war,” he said.

The Commission is expected to impose tariffs by the end of October after announcing them in late August.

The Spanish fear seems to be retaliation from China, as, in the past months, Beijing initiated several anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations on European products, including pork, of which Spain is the EU’s largest exporter.

By the end of October, member states will be asked to vote on approving tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, which could be blocked if a qualified majority votes against it.

In early July, 11 countries approved provisional rates, while four voted against, and nine abstained.

In the meantime, the Beijing government announced that a representative will meet the European Commission in Brussels on Sept. 19 on this issue.