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This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by TT.

Yes to tariffs on Chinese electric cars – Sweden wants an exception

by AI | 04.Oct 2024 | Europe in brief AI

EU countries agree to permanent tariffs on electric cars from China. Sweden abstained from voting and hopes for a special solution for Volvo.

Benjamin Dousa, Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

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Brussels – EU countries say yes to permanent tariffs on electric cars from China. According to diplomatic sources, ten EU countries voted to impose the tariffs and five against in Friday’s vote. The other twelve chose to abstain.

Sweden was one of the countries that abstained from voting, even though the government is skeptical of the tariffs. Minister of Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa refers to hopes that Volvo Cars will come off more lightly.

“It’s nothing set in stone, it’s nothing definitive, but it’s something Sweden has pushed very hard,” Dousa told TT ahead of the vote.

“We are getting positive signals from the commission that this could be a special solution.”

Benjamin Dousa points out both the pros and cons regarding the tariffs.

“Sweden has a skeptical attitude towards this type of measure and we are strong proponents of free trade. At the same time, the commission’s investigation has shown that China is not following WTO rules,” says the minister.

The EU Commission emphasizes at the same time that negotiations continue with China on other ways to resolve the dispute.

The proposal involves tariffs of up to 35.3 percent on imports of electric cars manufactured in China, from November this year – in addition to the already existing tariffs of ten percent.

(October 4)

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