The European Commission’s proposal to impose definitive tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles has received the necessary support from member states, the EU has announced. Commission.

The Commission, however, added that it would continue negotiations with China in parallel “to explore an alternative solution that should be fully compatible with the World Trade Organisation”.

Thus, the tariffs that the EU will impose on electric cars from China will reach up to 45%, for a period of up to five years. Ten member states voted in favor, Germany and four other countries voted against and 12 countries, including Spain, abstained, Bloomberg reports, citing sources.

Beijing is calling on Brussels to delay implementation

China, for its part, called on the European Union today to delay the implementation of tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and avoid escalating trade frictions, Chinese state media reported, according to Reuters.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the European Union (CCCEU) also today denounced “the protectionist measures” of Brussels, Agence France-Presse reports.

In a statement, the CCCEU “expresses its deep disappointment at this outcome” and “strongly” encourages the European Union “to delay the implementation of customs duties and prioritize the resolution of disputes and trade tensions through dialogue.”

It is recalled that the European Commission is conducting an investigation against subsidies for electric vehicles manufactured in China.

The European Commission had released the findings of its much-publicized investigation into alleged subsidies on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles, which included some changes to proposed punitive duties.

The Commission, which sets EU trade policy, said it still believed Chinese electric vehicle production benefited from extensive subsidies and initially proposed tariffs of up to 36.3% on car companies. In July it had initially planned tariffs of up to 37.6%.