EU countries on Friday gave a definitive green light to hefty additional tariffs on electric cars made in China, despite strong opposition led by Germany and fears it will spark a trade war with Beijing.
The European Commission—which provisionally approved the step in June after an inquiry found that Beijing's state aid to auto manufacturers was unfair—
Some 10 member states, including France, Italy, and Poland, supported imposing the tariffs of up to 35.3 percent, coming on top of existing duties of 10 percent.
Only five, including Germany and Hungary, voted against, while 12 abstained, including Spain and Sweden.
Although the tariffs did not win support from a majority of states, the opposition was not enough to block them — which would have required at least 15 states representing 65 percent of the bloc's population.
That leaves the choice on moving ahead in the hands of the European Commission, which "can be expected to decide in line with its proposal," an EU diplom
The European Commission—which provisionally approved the step in June after an inquiry found that Beijing's state aid to auto manufacturers was unfair—
Some 10 member states, including France, Italy, and Poland, supported imposing the tariffs of up to 35.3 percent, coming on top of existing duties of 10 percent.
Only five, including Germany and Hungary, voted against, while 12 abstained, including Spain and Sweden.
Although the tariffs did not win support from a majority of states, the opposition was not enough to block them — which would have required at least 15 states representing 65 percent of the bloc's population.
That leaves the choice on moving ahead in the hands of the European Commission, which "can be expected to decide in line with its proposal," an EU diplom
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