EU Moves to Impose Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles

France, Greece, Italy, and Poland are set to vote in favor of up to 45% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), a move that might trigger retaliation from Beijing. The European Commission's proposal, under its anti-subsidy investigation, needs approval from a majority of EU countries to proceed.

France, Greece, Italy, and Poland are gearing up to cast their votes on Friday to support tariffs as high as 45% on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs). This move, sources say, is part of the European Union's most prominent trade measures and could lead to potential retaliation from Beijing.

The European Commission, which is conducting an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EVs, has tabled its final tariff proposal to the EU's 27 member states. These nations are poised to vote on the matter by Friday.

This support is crucial for Brussels, particularly as it pushes forward one of its most significant trade cases ever. However, the stance of Germany, the region's leading economy and a major car manufacturer, remains ambiguous. EU regulations allow the Commission to impose these tariffs for five years, provided that a qualified majority of 15 EU countries, representing 65% of the EU's population, does not vote against it.

(With inputs from agencies.)