EU urges UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars to match bloc policy
The European Union is pressing UK Transport Secretary Andy Burnham to increase duties on Chinese automobiles, warning that manufacturers could use Britain to sidestep EU tariffs.
An EU representative said that a customs union would solve many problems linked to the “Made in Europe” scheme and cautioned that differing tariff levels enable Chinese carmakers to evade EU duties by shipping through the United Kingdom. As a result, the bloc is urging Transport Secretary Andy Burnham to raise tariffs on Chinese automobiles and align the UK with EU policy. The EU currently imposes duties of up to 45% on Chinese electric vehicles, with specific rates of 17% for BYD, 18.8% for Geely, 35.3% for SAIC and 7.8% for Tesla’s Shanghai operation.
British officials stress that any tariff move must be the correct one for the domestic industry. Chinese brands have been gaining ground in Europe, holding several percent of the market and outselling some established models, prompting concerns from manufacturers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz about competition and the sustainability of European carmaking.
Why it matters
Tariff alignment could shape UK-EU trade relations and affect the competitive landscape for car manufacturers across Europe.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report the EU urging the UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars, but the right-leaning coverage adds warnings about tariff evasion and stresses domestic industry concerns, while the centrist coverage focuses on the EU's policy aims and upcoming rules.
CENTER
Centrist coverage presents the EU's request for higher UK tariffs as a straightforward policy step to align with upcoming “Made in Europe” rules and avoid trade barriers.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage frames the EU's push as a warning about Chinese carmakers evading duties and emphasizes the need to protect the domestic industry by matching EU tariff levels.
The right emphasises
- Differing tariff levels let Chinese carmakers evade EU duties via the UK
- A customs union would solve many problems linked to the scheme
- British officials stress any tariff move must be right for the domestic industry
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