EU apparently considering import restrictions for Chinese hybrids
The European Commission is reportedly preparing measures to limit imports of Chinese hybrid vehicles into the EU, after China refused a request to voluntarily restrict its hybrid exports to Europe. Unlike the anti-subsidy duties of up to 35.3 per cent applied to Chinese electric cars, the Commission is said to be considering quotas under the EU's safeguard instrument, under which the regular 10 per cent car tariff would apply within a set volume and an additional levy beyond it. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is due in Beijing for talks with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Why it matters: The plan falls under the briefing's trade policy theme, because it would extend EU trade-defence measures from battery-electric vehicles to hybrids and shift the instrument from anti-subsidy duties to safeguard quotas.