EU moves to slap retroactive tariffs on electric vehicles from China
- Vehicles imported before the probe is concluded could be slapped with anti-subsidy duties
- The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU voiced disappointment, saying ‘recent surge in Chinese EV imports mirrors the increasing demand’ for EVs in Europe
The move, which was signalled in a document bearing the stamp of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen published on Tuesday night, means vehicles imported before the probe has concluded could be slapped with anti-subsidy duties.
It can be viewed as a way to deter imports, which the EU says are “massive”, and were 11 per cent higher between October and January compared to before the launch of the investigation.
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The document says that if the EU waited to impose duties, its own manufacturers would “suffer from diminishing sales and reduced production levels if imports continue at the current increased levels”.
It can also be assumed that the commission is satisfied it has enough evidence to put duties on EVs made in China, but wants to expedite the process.
The note, which was published in the EU’s official journal on Wednesday, said that regarding subsidies, “the commission has at its disposal sufficient evidence tending to show that imports of the product concerned from the PRC [China] are being subsidised”.
Either way, the move will further stoke tensions with Beijing, which has reacted angrily to the suggestion that one of its key industries could be subjected to punitive duties in Europe.
The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) “voiced its disappointment with the proposed mandate”, saying that the “recent surge in Chinese EV imports mirrors the increasing demand for electric vehicles in Europe”.
