Beijing Silent on Rumored Import Duties for EU, US Cars

China’s commerce ministry this week declined to confirm reports that it’s considering new import tariffs on European and American vehicles (see 2405220042) and instead continued to criticize U.S. and EU measures against Chinese electric cars.

Asked whether Beijing is mulling a reported 25% duty on imports from EU and American automakers, including a potential tariff on electric vehicles, a ministry spokesperson said during a May 23 press conference that the agency has “noticed relevant reports” and that China “is firmly committed to the path of green and low-carbon development.”

“What I want to emphasize is that currently, some countries and regions have deviated from the concept of green development, violated the principles of market economy and [World Trade Organization] rules, and introduced some restrictive measures in the field of new energy vehicles,” the spokesperson said, according to an unofficial translation. The U.S. this month announced new tariffs on Chinese EVs (see 2405140008), and the EU has opened a countervailing duty investigation on Chinese EVs (see 2310040012 and 2403150047).

“We believe that these measures will only harm the interests of their own consumers and affect the global green transition and efforts to combat climate change,” the spokesperson said, in response to a reporter's question.