Xinhua Silk Road - Belt and Road Portal, China's silk road economic belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Website Xinhua Silk Road - Belt and Road Portal, China's silk road economic belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Website
Subscribe CustomBlackClose

Belt & Road Weekly Subscription Form

download_pop

Research ReportCustomBlackClose

The full edition of the report is available at Xinhua Silk Road Database. You can click the “Table of Content” to have a general understanding of it.

Click on the button below to create your account and get immediate access to thousands of articles.

Start a Free Trial

Xinhua Silk Road Database
Trade

German economics minister urges political solution to EV tariffs with China

September 19, 2024


Abstract : Germany's Economics Minister Robert Habeck has called for the European Union (EU) and China to reach a political solution to the issue of tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs).

261491087649533952.jpg

People visit the booth of Geely at the Automechanika in Frankfurt, Germany, Sept. 11, 2024.(Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

The European Commission's tariff plan has sparked concerns among industry experts and business insiders across Europe.

BERLIN, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Germany's Economics Minister Robert Habeck has called for the European Union (EU) and China to reach a political solution to the issue of tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs).

"We want to avoid a trade conflict that could escalate into a tariff spiral, ultimately harming both sides," Habeck said in a statement on Tuesday, reaffirming that his stance is clear -- a political solution is essential.

Emphasizing China's significance to the German and European economies, Habeck said fair competition conditions must be guaranteed and Germany welcomes competition with China.

"The European Commission and China should work towards a negotiated solution," he added.

261491089499222016.jpg

NIO cars are displayed in the NIO House in Oslo, capital of Norway, Sept. 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhu Sheng)

Habeck's statement echoes the German government's remarks at a press conference last week. A government spokesperson said that the federal government had been skeptical about the EU's proposal of EV tariffs from the beginning, and this stance remains unchanged, mentioning that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had called on the EU member countries and the European Commission to reconsider their position on the proposal of additional tariffs on Chinese EVs.

"We are very pleased that talks between China and the EU are continuing to prevent such tariffs," the spokesperson said, adding that it would benefit all parties if other EU member countries also recognized that tariffs are not in the best interests of their industry.

261491091453767681.jpg

This file photo taken on June 3, 2024 shows vehicles passing by the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

The European Commission imposed provisional additional tariffs on Chinese EV makers in July, following its so-called anti-subsidy probe on Chinese EVs launched in October 2023.

The Commission's tariff plan has sparked concerns among industry experts and business insiders across Europe. Critics argue that the move may worsen the competitiveness issues of the European Union, hinder the region's green transition and escalate trade tensions with China, instead of protecting the European auto industry as intended.

Scan the QR code and push it to your mobile phone

Keyword: China-Germany EU EVs

Most Read

Write to Us belt & road login close

Do you want to be a contributor to Xinhua Silk Road and tell us your Belt & Road story? Send your articles to [email protected] and share your stories with more people.

Click on the button below to create your account and get im http://img.silkroad.news.cn/templates/silkroad/en2017te access to thousands of articles.

Start a Free Trial

Ask Us A Question belt & road login close

If you have any questions, please enter them in the box below.

Identifying code Reload

Write to Us belt & road login close

Do you want to be a contributor to Xinhua Silk Road and tell us your Belt & Road story? Send your articles to silkroadweekly@xinhua.org and share your stories with more people.

Click on the button below to create your account and get im http://img.silkroad.news.cn/templates/silkroad/en2017te access to thousands of articles.

Start a Free Trial