Brussels tightens restrictions on import of Chinese cars

The battle that is being fought between Europe and China the level of electric vehicles has risen as European Commission (EC) found that the Chinese government would offer unfair subsidies to domestic manufacturers.

The EU has begun to endLast year, an investigation was launched into alleged illegal Chinese government aid to manufacturing. vehicle

The battle that is being fought between Europe and China the level of electric vehicles has risen as European Commission (EC) found that the Chinese government would offer unfair subsidies to domestic manufacturers.

The EU has begun to endLast year, an investigation was launched into alleged illegal Chinese government aid to manufacturing. electric vehicles in the country. In this way, Brussels is trying to combat practices it considers “unfair” and which distort the market.

The first fruits of this research, scheduled to be completed in November, are already visible. EC in a document published yesterday and collected Reutersclaims to have sufficient evidence of irregular government assistance to the production of electric vehicles in China.

These investigations prompted the EC to begin this Thursday the registration at local customs of imported Chinese electric vehicles, which may be affected new tariffs from now onin case the investigation concludes that they are receiving illegal assistance from the Chinese government.

This European initiative comes after complaints from major European automotive groups with a long tradition in the region inequality in competition between local and Chinese companies. The criticism points to the ease with which Chinese car companies can operate in Europe, in contrast to the strict requirements China places on foreign companies.

The investigation is scheduled to be completed in November next year, although the European Commission does not rule out that it will begin introducing tariffs on imports of Chinese electric vehicles much earlier, from July.

The EU seeks to protect European manufacturers illegal activities, in conditions that show that imports of Chinese cars have increased by 14% since the start of the investigation. Brussels fears European producers could suffer significant and hard-to-repair damage to their businesses if imports from the Asian giant continue to grow at this rate until the investigation is completed.

Faced with this decision, Chinese Chamber of Commerce EU He expressed disappointment and assured that the increase in car imports is a response to high consumer demand.