Europe confirms surcharge on Chinese electric cars

Is Europe engaging in a trade war with China? Many are asking this question as the member states of the European Union (EU) gave their agreement on Friday October 4 so that the European Commission can implement a surcharge of up to 35.3% on against electric vehicles made in China. On June 12, the community executive announced these provisional customs duties; States could still modify this decision. It didn’t happen. Germany, very hostile to any surcharge on products coming from China, one of its essential trading partners, tried to bring together other states to block the measure, but it was unable to convince that Hungary, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia, an insufficient coalition. Around ten countries voted in favor of the proposal, including France, Italy and the Netherlands. A dozen others, including Spain and Sweden, preferred to abstain, which amounts to supporting the measure. From October 31 at the latest, and for five years, exporters of vehicles established in China – whether Chinese, European like Renault or BMW, or American like Tesla – will have to pay a countervailing duty up to the amount of aid they receive. they received in China, in addition to the customs duties, already in place, of 10%. According to the Commission’s investigation, these manufacturers benefit from average subsidies equivalent to nearly 21% of their turnover. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers The United Kingdom, fertile ground for Chinese electric vehicles Add to your selections The surcharge rates have been adjusted for manufacturers who have proven, during the survey, that they receive less public support. Thus, Tesla obtained a rate of 7.8%, BYD, 17%, Geely, 18.8%. SAIC, the Shanghai manufacturer which markets the British brand MG in Europe, will have to pay a surcharge of 35.3%. Other manufacturers will have to pay a surcharge of 20.7%. “Harmful subsidies” Determined to ban the entry into circulation of thermal engine cars by 2035, Brussels intends to support the transformation of the European automobile industry, which employs some 13 million people, against increasingly Chinese competition aggressive. Between 2020 and 2024, the market share of vehicles made in China, which are much more affordable, increased from 12% to almost 25%. According to the non-governmental organization Transport and Environment, “this market share could decrease to 20% in 2025 and to 18% the following year if customs duties on electric vehicles manufactured in China and European emissions standards [de polluants] of 2025 were applied.” You have 56.17% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.



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