EU approves steep tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles
EU approves steep tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles
Chinese producers of electric vehicles will soon face steep tariffs before selling their high-end goods in the EU market. #EuropeNews
cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/3451147
European Union countries failed to agree on whether to slap China-made electric vehicles (EVs) with steeper tariffs during a closely watched vote that ended with too many abstentions, forcing the European Commission to overcome the political impasse and push its proposal over the finish line.
The outcome of Friday's vote was not publicly available, although several diplomats told Euronews how each member state positioned itself:
- 10 were in favour: Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands and Poland. (45.99% of the EU population)
- 12 abstained: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Austria, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Finland. (31.36%)
- Five were against: Germany, Hungary, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia. (22.65%)
The high number of abstentions reflects long-standing qualms about how Europe should stand up to China. Although the political consensus says that Beijing's unfair trade practices merit a forceful, united response, threats of commercial retaliation appear to have dampened the resolve of many capitals as the make-or-break date neared closer.
It was up to the Commission, which has exclusive powers to set the bloc's commercial policy, to break the gridlock and ensure the duties go through.
EU approves steep tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles
European Union countries failed to agree on whether...
So... which is it?
Both? It's pretty well explained in the rest of the text (you don't even have to click a link)
It was up to the Commission, which has exclusive powers to set the bloc's commercial policy, to break the gridlock and ensure the duties go through.
The European Commission made the decision after the member countries failed to agree on how to proceed.
My gut feeling is that that's not a smart move ...
Yeah, on the one hand it seems pretty clear that they're trying to prevent competition/disruption and protect domestic car manufacturers' sales. On the other hand, I don't think I want China to end up with a monopoly on EVs.
Between a rock and a hard place, as they say.
If their EVs are so good/affordable that it would destroy all domestic EV car competition, couldn't non-chinese car companies just make better/more affordable EVs? Nah, gotta side with automotive corporations and against consumer choice.
This is the kind of garbage move that creates things like the Chicken Tax in the US, which is a big reason Americans drive around tanks now instead of regular sized pick-up trucks.
threats of commercial retaliation appear to have dampened the resolve
A few days ago I saw an interview with an EU official (I don't remember who) which gave interesting insight.
They pointed out that they're talking with China about these tariffs, that they're taking a proof-based approach on them, reasoning and justifying with evidence of unfair subsidies, and that China has accepted such tariffs in the past for other things.
Collecting and discussing evidence obviously takes more time. But it defuses the "I put tariffs on you" -> "then I put tariffs on you" into a "these unjust subsidies were in place so we have to add these tariffs" -> "I don't like it but I see".
I wonder how those talks turned out, given that the tariffs have now been set. I guess I will hear from China if they object.