No 10 leaves option open to impose Chinese EV tariffs if UK joins EU scheme
Beijing warns against ‘discriminatory’ step after France drops opposition to British role in Made in Europe package
TL;DR
- Downing Street has not ruled out imposing tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of the 'Made in Europe' package.
- France has dropped its opposition to the UK joining the scheme, but the price may be aligning with EU tariffs on Chinese EVs.
- China has expressed strong opposition, calling any such tariffs 'discriminatory' and contrary to market principles.
- The UK government is keen to join the 'Made in Europe' package to avoid trade disadvantages, despite business secretary Jonathan Reynolds' initial stance.
- The proposal suggests that for inclusion, countries like the UK and Norway must accept dynamic alignment with EU trade defence measures.
- Tariffs could benefit UK manufacturers but also increase consumer prices and potentially harm British exports to China.
- Liam Byrne, Labour chair of the parliamentary business committee, views tariffs on Chinese EVs as a 'small price to pay' for the industry's survival.