UK weighs tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese EVs, in step with EU
In short
Tokyo Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun report that the UK government is considering strengthening tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, in step with the European Union, with a rate that could be around 45 percent. Sankei, citing The Times, says a quarter of cars sold in the UK in September were Chinese cars and that carmakers with UK production bases, including Nissan, have urged the government to act. The outlets describe a measure under consideration, not a decision, and give no timetable or final rate.
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The UK government is considering strengthening tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, in step with the European Union, according to reports by Tokyo Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun. The three outlets say the tariff rate under consideration could be around 45 percent. The reports describe a measure being weighed, not a decision. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Sankei Shimbun, citing The Times of October 4, reported that the background is concern that cheap EVs supported by Chinese government subsidies are circulating in the market, putting manufacturers in the UK and Europe at a disadvantage. The Times reported that a quarter of the cars sold in the UK in September were Chinese cars, according to Sankei. [ 3 ]
The EU, which Sankei says is considering policies that favor European-made products, has argued that the UK is a loophole for Chinese-made cars flowing into Europe and has demanded tariff measures, the report said. [ 3 ]
Manufacturers with production bases in the UK, including Nissan Motor, have also strongly pressed the UK government to impose tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, according to Sankei's account. [ 3 ]
None of the reports states when the UK government would decide, what the final rate would be, or how the measure would be structured. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
If adopted, the measure would follow the EU in raising the cost of Chinese-made EVs in a major European market. The reports say the EU has been pressing London on the issue, so the decision would affect trade relations among the UK, the EU and China, and would be relevant to automakers with UK production bases, including Japanese manufacturers that Sankei says have lobbied for tariffs.
Key facts
- The UK government is considering strengthening tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, according to reports by three Japanese outlets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The tariff rate under consideration could be around 45 percent. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The measure would be taken in step with the European Union. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Sankei Shimbun, citing The Times, reported that a quarter of cars sold in the UK in September were Chinese cars. [ 3 ]
- Sankei reported the concern that cheap EVs supported by Chinese government subsidies put UK and European manufacturers at a disadvantage. [ 3 ]
- According to Sankei's account of The Times, the EU says the UK is a loophole for Chinese-made cars entering Europe and has demanded tariff measures. [ 3 ]
- Manufacturers with production bases in the UK, including Nissan, have strongly urged the UK government to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs, Sankei reported. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the UK government has decided to impose the tariffs, when a decision would come, and what the final rate would be. All three outlets say the measure is under consideration; none reports a decision, timetable or final rate.
- How the tariff would be structured and which vehicles it would cover. The documents give only an approximate rate and do not describe the mechanism or scope.
- Details reported from The Times, such as the share of Chinese cars in UK September sales and the EU's demands on London. These appear in Sankei Shimbun's account of The Times only and are not stated in the other documents.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Tokyo Shimbun reports that the UK is considering strengthening tariffs on Chinese-made EVs to as much as 45 percent, in step with the EU. [ 1 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun publishes the same report. [ 2 ]
- Sankei Shimbun publishes a report citing The Times of October 4, adding details on Chinese cars' share of UK sales, EU pressure and lobbying by carmakers including Nissan. [ 3 ]