According to Bloomberg News, France’s new Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said,”France supports the EU’s plan to impose tariffs on China electric vehicles because China has been using subsidies to maintain its dominant position in the automotive industry.
” Jean-Noel Barrot.
Photo source: French Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Jean-Noel Barrot said in an interview with Bloomberg TV reporter Annmarie Hordern: “The EU’s intention to increase tariffs is not to adopt some form of comprehensive protectionist policy against China, but basically to create a level playing field.
” Jean-Noel Barrot said that checks and balances on China would make Europe “more independent, economically stronger and strategically more autonomous.
” Currently, China and the EU are negotiating alternative solutions to tariffs.
China automakers have offered to sell electric vehicles in the EU at the lowest price.
A spokesman for China’s Ministry of Commerce said that “the technical teams of China and the EU are negotiating a flexible price commitment plan” and “making every effort to reach a consensus on a solution framework before the EU makes a final ruling on electric vehicle tariffs.
” Europe’s auto and parts manufacturing industry is facing the profound impact of electrification and competition from China, involving thousands of jobs and economic output.
However, unlike France’s attitude, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck previously said that he would not support the EU’s imposition of tariffs on China, and Hungarian Foreign Minister also said that the country would vote against the European Commission’s imposition of tariffs on China’s electric vehicles.
It is reported that EU member states are expected to vote on draft legislation to impose tariffs on China’s electric vehicles in early October.
The voting was originally scheduled to take place on September 25, but the voting was slightly postponed after the EU and China agreed to strengthen negotiations.
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