How severe is the impact on Chinese EV makers after EU launches an anti-subsidy investigation
Any potential decision to impose higher tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars sold in the European Union may also trigger a retaliatory measure by BeijingChinese EV makers are expected to diversify exports to other countries and regions, analysts say, who also expect higher domestic demand to pick up some of the slackElectric & new energy vehiclesDaniel Renin ShanghaiPublished: 4:00pm, 17 Sep, 2023Why you can trust SCMP
A potential decision to impose tariffs higher than the standard 10 per cent rate for Chinese-made electric cars in the European Union (EU) may also trigger a retaliatory measure by Beijing to curb imports of European-made vehicles, analysts say.
“The investigation is a serious matter for the Chinese EV makers because a higher tariff could put a stumbling block to export growth of their cars to Europe,” said David Zhang, a visiting professor at Huanghe Science and Technology College. “It may trigger a chain reaction because Beijing can slap punitive tariffs on European-made cars, too.”
On Wednesday, the EC began an investigation into Chinese-made EVs that are suspected of benefiting from state subsidies at the expense of European competitors.
“Global markets are now flooded with cheaper electric cars. And their price is kept artificially low by huge state subsidies,” commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her annual address to the bloc’s parliament.