LONDON, Oct 5 — The United Kingdom (UK) is considering imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports amid concerns that Beijing is flooding the market with state-subsidised cars, The Times newspaper reported on Sunday.
Business, Innovation, Science, and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds Jonathan Reynolds is drawing up a package of potential tariffs on Chinese vehicle imports, amid concerns that Chinese manufacturers are "dumping" subsidised vehicles into the UK.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
Asked to comment, a UK government spokesman told Reuters that no tariffs have been imposed on Chinese EVs.
"We continue to engage closely with industry so that our approach reflects the sector’s and the UK’s national interests," the spokesman said in an email.
The Times also reported that UK ministers are ready to match the European Union's (EU) 45 per cent levy on Chinese electric cars, to avoid the pain of "Made in Europe" proposals, which could impact UK companies selling into the EU.
The EU's "Made in Europe" policy aims to reduce reliance on Chinese components by prioritising European-made goods, raising concerns among UK automakers that supply parts into European manufacturing chains and sell vehicles across the bloc.
Last month, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would argue that the UK should be treated as a "trusted partner" under the proposed EU rules, warning that excluding the UK could damage its car industry.
In September, The Financial Times reported that Brussels had urged Burnham to align more closely with EU trade policy and raise tariffs on Chinese cars if the UK wants to avoid the "made in Europe" barriers.
According to The Times, citing senior government sources, ministers believe any tariff decision should be based on the UK's national interest rather than automatically following the EU's lead.
