EU and China agree to discuss tariffs on electric cars

China and the European Union want to start consultations on the planned European tariffs on imported Chinese electric cars. The talks will be led by Chinese Trade Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, the Ministry of Trade in Beijing announced on Saturday. Wang has been invited to a video conference.

The German Minister of Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck, is currently in China. During a visit to Shanghai, he said that the EU is ready to enter into dialogue with China about such tariffs and that there is time until November to do so. Habeck also stressed in Beijing at a meeting with the Chairman of the State Development and Reform Commission, Zheng Shanjie, that the EU tariffs are not punitive tariffs. Rather, it is about avoiding distortions of competition.

The additional tariffs of up to 38.1 percent are to be imposed from July 4. The EU Commission’s review is to continue until November 2. Final rates will then be set, usually for five years.