UK car industry faces ‘difficult trade-off’ between Chinese and EU markets
The UK automotive industry is facing pressure to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to avoid retaliatory trade barriers from the EU. Ministers are hesitant, fearing that tariffs would harm trade relations with China and increase costs for British consumers.
Why it matters
This reflects the complex geopolitical balancing act the UK faces in post-Brexit trade policy between major global economic powers.
Chinese EVs wait to be shipped for export at Yantai Port in Yantai City, Shandong Province, China. Photograph: Costfoto/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Chinese EVs wait to be shipped for export at Yantai Port in Yantai City, Shandong Province, China. Photograph: Costfoto/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Automotive industry UK car industry faces ‘difficult trade-off’ between Chinese and EU markets Britain under pressure to put tariffs on cheap Chinese vehicle imports ahead of protectionist trade measures
Prefer the Guardian on Google Britain’s car industry is grappling with a “difficult trade-off” between China and Europe , as manufacturers struggle to balance the benefits of both markets ahead of looming trade measures that could restrict UK exports to the EU.
The UK is an outlier in choosing not to put import taxes on Chinese vehicles, even as the US has shut them out almost entirely , and the EU imposes duties of up to 45% .
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