China to Canada:

Tariff on e-cars “will damage trade relations”

An electric car charging

(Bild: P. Huber)

Following the imposition of high tariffs on electric cars, the Chinese embassy in Canada has threatened to take countermeasures. The 100 percent tariff will "harm trade and economic relations between China and Canada", it said.

The Canadian government is acting against the interests of its consumers and companies. It would also harm the global fight against climate change.

Canada's government had previously also announced tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum products. This is intended to create fair conditions for the domestic industry, said Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. It was argued that Chinese manufacturers would benefit from laxer standards for the protection of personnel and the environment as well as a government-imposed policy of overcapacity, among other things.

Dispute over trade practices with the EU
In May, the US government imposed additional tariffs of 100 percent on electric cars from China. The EU Commission followed suit in June with its own plans, which, however, provide for different tariffs of between 17.4 and 37.6 percent depending on the manufacturer. Among other things, Brussels is talking about unfair subsidies for car manufacturers. Previously, no agreement had been reached in the dispute over subsidies and trade practices.