The European Union (EU) has decided to impose tariffs of up to 45.3% on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China.
According to AFP, dpa, and other news agencies, on the morning of the 4th (local time), the EU's 27 member states voted to approve the European Commission's finalized tariff proposal on Chinese electric vehicles.
As a result, tariffs of up to 45.3% are expected to be imposed on Chinese electric vehicles as early as the end of this month.
Chinese-made Tesla electric vehicles will be subject to the lowest tariff rate of 17.8%.
Ten countries, including France and Italy, voted in favor, while five countries, including Germany and Hungary, opposed the measure. The remaining 12 countries abstained, and abstentions are effectively considered as support.
For the Commission's finalized tariff proposal to be rejected, at least 15 member states representing more than 65% of the EU's total population needed to vote against it, but this threshold was not met.
Adding to the existing general tariff of 10%, the final tariff rates will range from 17.8% to 45.3%. These final tariffs will be applied for five years starting from the 31st of this month.
However, even after member state approval, the EU plans to continue negotiations with China. The EU is currently negotiating with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers who have proposed voluntarily setting minimum sales prices for exports to Europe to address concerns over 'excessive subsidies.'
If an agreement is reached, the imposition of the finalized tariffs could be suspended.
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