Who suffered the most?

According to expert Josep Maria Gomes, international business developer at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce (Spain), consumers remain the hardest hit.

EU imports of Chinese electric vehicles more than doubled between 2021 and 2023, reaching over 430,000 vehicles annually, worth €10 billion. (Source: AFP/Getty)

Amidst the European Commission's (EC) plans to impose additional tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China, expert Josep Maria Gomes warns that consumers will be the hardest hit by the escalating trade conflict.

In a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency, this expert argued that the European Union's (EU) move would not help boost the bloc's economic prosperity. According to him, consumers would be the most harmed. He said: "Over the years, we have seen that protectionism has not brought about a more competitive economy, nor has it protected jobs."

"Whether it's electric cars, batteries, or other forms of Chinese investment, if we make it difficult for investors through the imposition of tariffs or other protectionist barriers, then we (Europe) will only hurt ourselves," said Josep Maria Gomes.

On June 12, the European Commission revealed a list of protective tariffs it will impose on imported battery-electric vehicles from China, sparking protests and concerns from governments and businesses across Europe.

The provisional tariffs that the Commission plans to apply to imports of electric vehicles from China will range from 17.4% to 38.1%.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cuoc-chien-thue-xe-dien-cua-eu-trung-quoc-ai-bi-thiet-nhieu-nhat-276045.html