There was a new meeting between Europe and China on tariffs

The vote by the European Union on the Confirmation of duties to Chinese electric cars, which if approved will last 5 years, is getting closer and closer. Precisely for this reason, Europe and China, as reported by Automotive News, are intensifying meetings to reach an agreement that satisfies both parties.

One of the last meetings was the one between Valdis Dombrovskisthe Union’s Trade Commissioner and his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao deemed productive by Dombrovskis. For his part, Wentao stated that both parties want to continue discussing to find a possible agreement. The reality of the facts, however, is that for now everything remains as before.

China’s commitments

Not that there are no attempts to get closer. Recently, China said it was ready to adopt a minimum price for its electric cars sold in Europe, along with a maximum number of annual exports. However, it seems that this is not enough for the European Union.

This is also why Wentao is touring Europe, to try to mend the tear with the authorities of the Old Continent, going from country to country in search of the necessary support.

Il vote at the European level – initially scheduled for September 25 but subject to postponement – if it were to follow the Commission’s intentions, it would effectively pave the way for the definitive green light to the duties. To avoid this happening, China needs a qualified majority (i.e. 15 member states representing 65% of the Union’s population) oppose it. Wang, however, stated that the European Commission has so far shown no political will to resolve the dispute.

Thus, the Chinese minister is reportedly intensifying talks with representatives of the various member states, well aware of the support he will receive from Germany and Spain. Italy, on the other hand, has reiterated its support for Europe.

Why yes, why not

I in favor of tariffs on Chinese electric cars see in this action a necessary brake on unfair competition – the European Commission has evidence of Beijing’s support for its manufacturers – thus preventing continental manufacturers from suffering further.

I opposite they see the duties instead as the beginning of a new trade warpartly already begun, with China ready to respond tit for tat by increasing taxes on imports of products of European origin. Not only belonging to the automotive world, but also to the agri-food sector.