This Friday, European governments voted on the possibility of set tariffs on electric cars imported from Chinabut the lack of consensus to form a majority both for and against will return power to the European Commissionwho will make the final decision in the coming days. If approved, the tariffs that the EU has temporarily imposed on this type of vehicle since last July will become permanent.
Only five countries voted against of Brussels’ proposal to make the levies permanent, including Germany, which fears the consequences of a trade war with Beijing. In addition, Spain and eleven other countries abstainedwhile ten others voted in favor.
China was quick to react, assuring that “EU protectionist practices seriously violate World Trade Organization rules and interfere with normal trading order. » The Minister of the Economy, Carlos’ bodytried to reduce the tension by assuring that he would work to “avoid an escalation of measures that could harm everyone“.
The major European manufacturers opposed this measure, which is also could affect Spanish exportseven in other sectors, notably food.
However, experts believe that Europe should not fear the tariffs that China could impose as an answer. “For China, a 25% customs duty does not fully offset the effect of state aid aimed at lowering the price of the electric vehicles it exports,” explains Emilio González, professor of international trade at the University of Nebrija.
