EU Strikes Back: Imposes 38% Additional Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles

By: Ahmad Rashad Al Zeer

August 26,2024

2 min read

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chinese cars

electric cars

new taxes

byd cars

The European Commission has announced the imposition of gigantic tariffs on Chinese electric cars—a cautious step to protect the European industry against increasing Chinese incursion. These tariff measures, branded by experts as a "stinging blow," are being initiated in response to Beijing's illegal support for Chinese electric car manufacturers, giving them an unfair competitive advantage in global markets.

This European move is viewed as a de facto declaration of a trade war, an attempt by the Old Continent to guard its gains against the pressures of advanced Chinese technology. With significant investments in research and development, China has become a major powerhouse in the electric vehicle sector, threatening the global market dominance once held by European companies.

Europe fears that its electric cars might become a "Trojan horse" for Chinese entry into strategic markets. Through their cheap, high-quality vehicles, Chinese companies could capture a large market share, leading to job losses and economic decline in European countries.

byd car

But are these tariffs enough to make the Chinese retreat, or are they just a desperate attempt to curb the rise of a new star in the automotive world? The answer requires continuous monitoring of global developments, where economic and political interests are deeply intertwined.

Meanwhile, Chinese expansion continues as the Chinese company "BYD" opens a massive factory in Thailand, strengthening its position as a major player in the Asian electric vehicle market. This raises questions about whether other countries can compete with China, especially given the significant government support that Chinese companies receive.

This trade war between the European Union and China over electric vehicles is just another chapter in a broader story of the struggle between economic superpowers for control over global markets. In a rapidly changing world, European countries face tough decisions to protect their economic and political interests.