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Electric cars are ready for export in China
Photo: Tang Ke / FeatureChina / AP
Chinese manufacturers are pushing into the European market with cheaper electric car models, at the expense of companies like VW and Mercedes.
The EU Commission accuses the leadership in China of giving advantages to manufacturers there with illegal subsidies.
In the coming months, the EU Commission will decide whether to impose punitive tariffs on electric cars imported from China.
The first steps have now been taken to possibly even retroactively levy import duties on Chinese electric vehicles.
In a document published on Tuesday, the EU Commission said there was sufficient evidence of government subsidies for Chinese electric vehicles.
It is therefore planned to begin recording these imports through customs.
Then the imports that are now registered could subsequently be subject to tariffs if the investigation, which is still ongoing, turns out to be the case.
European manufacturers have an unacceptable competitive advantage because of government subsidies to Chinese competitors.
The EU Commission has been investigating Chinese subsidy practices since October.
The decision as to whether tariffs will be levied to protect EU manufacturers depends on the result.
The investigation is expected to be completed by November.
However, the EU could introduce temporary tariffs as early as July.
According to information from Brussels, imports have increased by 14 percent since October compared to the previous year.
Accordingly, EU manufacturers could suffer serious disadvantages and damage if imports from China continue to rise so sharply until the investigation is completed.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the EU expressed disappointment, saying the rise in imports reflected increasing demand for electric vehicles in Europe.
mmq/Reuters