Car industry Mercedes boss opposes EU tariffs on Chinese e-cars
The EU wants to introduce special tariffs on electric cars from China. German manufacturers are worried about this. They still want to avert the move.
21.10.2024, 08:48
SDA
The head of car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz, Ola Källenius, is calling for the planned measure to be postponed in the EU's customs dispute with China. "We need more free trade instead of new trade barriers. That is why a solution that is fair to both the EU and China is important," Källenius told Bild. "The negotiations for this will take time. In order not to jeopardize them, the EU should postpone the enforcement of the planned tariffs."
At the beginning of the month, a sufficient majority of EU member states voted in favor of additional tariffs on electric cars from China - Germany voted against. Whether the import duties will come into force at the beginning of November is therefore in the hands of the EU Commission.
It is complaining that China is artificially depressing the price of electric cars from the People's Republic with high subsidies, which threatens to damage European industry. If a solution is reached with China at the negotiating table in time, the tariffs can be stopped.
