German vote against EV tariffs undercuts EU's tougher China stance

Chinese chamber of commerce calls bloc action 'politically motivated'

20241004 EV China Eu image

The European Union voted to impose import tariffs on China-made electric vehicles but left room for further negotiation. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP)

JENS KASTNER, Contributing writer

HAMBURG, Germany -- Germany on Friday voted against planned import duties on China-made electric vehicles, Nikkei Asia has learned, in a move that deepens the rift between Europe's largest economy and the European Commission.

Berlin's resistance, confirmed by diplomats in Brussels, was not enough to shift the overall vote for tariffs, which was supported by France and Italy. But it signals to China that there is more room for negotiation in favor of its car industry.

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