Brussels, October 2023 — Political and business leaders across Europe are expressing strong opposition to the European Commission’s recent proposal to impose provisional duties on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from the Chinese mainland. The proposed tariffs, ranging from 17.4 percent to 38.1 percent, have sparked concerns over protectionism, market competition, and the potential impact on the European economy.
Calls for Fair Competition
Hungary’s Minister for National Economy, Marton Nagy, criticized the move as overly protectionist. “Protectionism is not the solution,” Nagy stated. He emphasized that the Commission’s decision could unfairly discriminate against manufacturers from the Chinese mainland and disrupt vital market competition within the European Union. Nagy urged the EU to focus on enhancing the global competitiveness of its EV industry rather than imposing punitive tariffs that might stifle growth.
In Germany, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport Volker Wissing warned that the tariffs could adversely affect German companies and their exports. “Vehicles must become cheaper through more competition, open markets, and significantly better location conditions in the EU, not through trade wars and market isolation,” Wissing wrote on social media platform X.
Industry Leaders Weigh In
Hildegard Müller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, cautioned that the proposed tariffs could lead to a trade conflict with negative repercussions outweighing potential benefits. “The EU’s high additional tariffs deviate from the goals of global cooperation,” Müller told Xinhua. She highlighted the importance of collaboration with the Chinese mainland in tackling global challenges such as climate change and advancing electromobility.
BMW CEO Oliver Zipse labeled the Commission’s plan as
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European political, business leaders oppose Commission's plan
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