China has expressed strong opposition to the European Union’s decision to impose additional tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs). Following an EU anti-subsidy investigation that determined Beijing’s support for its EV industry created an unfair advantage, China’s commerce ministry announced it has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and pledged to “firmly protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.”
The new EU tariffs, which range up to 35.3%, will apply to Chinese manufacturers like Geely and SAIC, as well as foreign automakers producing in China, including Tesla, which will face a 7.8% duty. The tariffs, effective for five years, add to the existing 10% on Chinese EV imports.
Beijing labeled the tariffs as “protectionist practices” and urged the EU to seek a “constructive” resolution to prevent escalating trade tensions. In response, China has also initiated investigations into EU subsidies on certain dairy and pork imports.
Trade tensions between China and the EU are intensifying, with Europe also probing subsidies on Chinese solar panels and wind turbines. Canada and the United States have imposed even higher tariffs on Chinese EV imports, with rates as high as 100%.
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