Johan Van Overtveldt on the De Ochtend radio show: “Tariffs on Chinese electric cars restore competitive imbalance”

MEP Johan Van Overtveldt commented on the European Commission’s decision to introduce higher import tariffs on Chinese electric cars in an interview on the De Ochtend show on Radio 1. “We will thus ensure a level playing field again.”

The higher tariffs come as a consequence of the Chinese government’s generous subsidies for Chinese car manufacturers. These cause unfair competition with European car manufacturers. For example, car manufacturer BYD, China’s largest exporter of electric cars, benefits from direct and indirect subsidies of EUR 3 to EUR 4 billion annually. “Surely it is clear that no one can compete with that,” responds MEP Johan Van Overtveldt. The tariffs should stem the influx of Chinese cars into the European market and ensure a level playing field again.

China’s strategy

According to Van Overtveldt, we are also hampering China’s geopolitical strategy. “By encroaching on the electric car market, China wants to prevent a comparable industry from developing in the West. This could make us vulnerable to Chinese extortion and blackmail in the future,” he warns. “If we let this continue, China will also apply the same strategy of heavy subsidies in other sectors to undermine European industry. We must draw a red line here.” According to Van Overtveldt, forceful action will ensure that China comes to the table and a constructive dialogue can be started on Sino-European trade relations.