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[global network reporter jiang ailing] agence france-presse quoted the latest news from european diplomats as saying that the european union voted to impose additional tariffs on chinese electric vehicles on october 4, local time. politicians and industry representatives from many european countries have previously expressed their opposition to the european commission's relevant investigations. china also denounced the eu's move to impose tariffs on chinese electric vehicles as typical protectionism.

according to reports, multiple diplomats from europe told afp that despite strong opposition led by germany, the eu still approved the imposition of high tariffs on chinese electric vehicles that day.

eu flag information picture source: foreign media

agence france-presse said that according to these diplomats, 10 countries, including france and italy, support imposing tariffs of up to 35.3% on top of the original 10% tariff. five countries, including germany and hungary, voted against, while 12 countries abstained from voting.

according to the eu's procedure, if 15 member states (and accounting for 65% of the eu's population) vote against, the plan to impose additional tariffs will be shelved. otherwise, the eu will impose additional tariffs ranging from 7.8% to 35.3% on electric vehicles imported from china on top of the 10% standard car import tariff.

according to a previous report by latin american news agency, hungarian foreign minister szijjarto confirmed on the 3rd that hungary rejected the european commission’s proposal to impose tariffs on chinese electric vehicles. szijjarto said through his facebook account that the hungarian government will veto the eu's proposal to impose tariffs of up to 45% on imported chinese-made electric vehicles because the plan is "harmful and dangerous." szijjarto said that brussels bureaucrats will routinely stifle the future competitiveness of the european economy on the 4th. german economy minister robert habeck previously stated in berlin that he was not in favor of imposing countervailing duties due to concerns about subsequent disputes. spanish prime minister sanchez also said on september 11 that the eu should reconsider its plan to impose tariffs on chinese electric vehicles.

lin jian, spokesman for the chinese ministry of foreign affairs, said in june this year that china has repeatedly stated its position on the eu's anti-subsidy investigation into chinese electric vehicles. what i want to emphasize is that this anti-subsidy investigation is typical protectionism. the european side uses this as an excuse to impose additional tariffs on electric vehicles imported from china, which violates the principles of market economy and international trade rules, harms china-eu economic and trade cooperation and the stability of the global automobile production and supply chain, and will ultimately harm europe's own interests. we have noticed that politicians and industry representatives from many european countries have expressed opposition to the european commission’s investigation in recent times. they believe that trying to protect european industries by increasing taxes on chinese electric vehicles is the wrong approach. protectionism has no future, and openness cooperation is the way to go. we urge the eu to abide by its commitment to support free trade and oppose protectionism, and work with china to safeguard the overall situation of china-eu economic and trade cooperation. china will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.