Tariff against Chinese vehicles advances in the European Union

Brussels. The European Union will press ahead with imposing heavy tariffs on electric vehicles made in China, the EU executive announced on Friday, even after Germany, the bloc’s largest economy, rejected them, revealing a gap in their biggest conflict. trade with Beijing in a decade.

Proposed tariffs on electric vehicles made in China, up to 45 percent, would cost automakers billions of additional dollars to bring the cars to the bloc and will be imposed starting next month for five years.

The Commission, which oversees the bloc’s trade policy, has said it will counter what it sees as unfair Chinese subsidies following a year-long investigation, but also said on Friday it would continue talks with Beijing.

A possible compromise could be to set minimum sales prices.

In this Friday’s vote, ten EU members supported the tariffs, five voted against and 12 abstained, according to community sources.

Opposition by a qualified majority of 15 EU members, representing 65 percent of the EU, would have been needed to block the proposal.

Reuters reported on Wednesday that the measure was likely to pass with the support of France, Italy and Poland.

The region’s largest economy and main auto producer, Germany, voted against the proposal, according to sources consulted on Friday.

The community Executive assured having obtained the necessary support to approve the tariffs, although talks with Beijing will continue.