The European Commission confirmed tariffs against Chinese E-cars on Oct. 29. While a senior Commission official, quoted by Euractiv, claims that the tariffs are aimed at “saving the European car industry,” this is in reality another nail in the coffin of the European automotive industry. Their E-cars in fact are produced in China.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has not accepted the EU decision and has filed a suit at the World Trade Organization. The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU characterized the decision by Brussels as “politically motivated.”
Fact is, tariffs against Made in China E-autos won’t help European carmakers. According to a study commissioned by the German Federation of Automobile producers (VDA), the transition to E-mobility will cost 140,000 jobs in Germany. The study might be optimistic though.
