EU Imposes 45.3% Tariff on Chinese Electric Vehicles; UK Signals No Intention to Follow
Following the European Union’s announcement of tariffs as high as 45.3% on electric vehicles manufactured in China, along with a cap of 350,000 units annually on imports, the United Kingdom has made clear its intention to maintain its existing 10% tariff rate.
Jonathan Reynolds, the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, made the remarks during an interview with The Guardian while on a trade visit to India. On the issue of tariffs, he stated unequivocally: “I simply want to reiterate that any decision we make regarding trade defense measures against the EU is based solely on British interests—not on the demands of any other country.”
In explaining the rationale behind the UK’s current stance, Reynolds noted: “In 2024, we conducted a thorough assessment of the issue, continuously evaluating it according to actual industry needs. Ultimately, the question comes down to what kind of automotive sector the UK fundamentally represents—it is an export-oriented industry, which is the core consideration I must take into account.”
Data shows that last year the UK exported 35,000 vehicles to China, making it the country’s third-largest export market after the EU and the United States.
Currently, the UK and the EU are engaged in ongoing negotiations over tariffs on automotive trade. Given that electric vehicles produced in both Britain and Europe heavily rely on battery components sourced from China, Reynolds emphasized in the interview that maintaining tariff-free trade also aligns with European interests.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1879155891921920/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.