Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds says higher UK tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles are “under review” but not yet approved, as he balances pressure from the EU and concerns over damage to UK car exports. Officials are preparing a package of potential duties amid growing EU demands for UK alignment with EU trade policy to avoid “Made in Europe” barriers affecting key exports like Jaguar Land Rover. The EU warns Britain must raise tariffs and match EU trade rules to prevent trade friction, while the UK’s new Industrial Accelerator Act seeks to protect European industry from cheap Chinese imports.
Sam Lowe of Flint Global notes Brussels fears Chinese EV exports erode European market share and that Chinese investment could enable a backdoor into the EU via “Made in Europe.” The UK currently applies a 10 per cent duty on Chinese EVs, versus the EU’s 45 per cent and the US’s 100 per cent. Reynolds argues tariffs could help Nissan but risk harming JLR and other exporters reliant on Chinese markets, stressing Britain’s export-led economy differs from the EU’s. Chinese brands like BYD, Chery, and Geely now make up over 20 per cent of UK EV sales, with the Jaecoo 7 topping monthly registrations.
Nissan warns the UK could become a corridor for Chinese EVs into Europe.
Quelle: Financial Times Companies · Zusammengefasst von HeadlinesBriefing