The European Union will press ahead with hefty tariffs on China-made electric vehicles, the EU executive said on Friday, even after the bloc's largest economy Germany rejected them, exposing a rift over its biggest trade row with Beijing in a decade.

The EU conformed its decision to raise tariffs on Chinese EVs, leading to worries this might raise trade tensions.

The European Union will impose tariffs of up to 45% on China-made electric vehicles next month, despite objections from Germany, its largest economy. The move, backed by 10 EU members, comes after a year-long investigation into what the EU sees as unfair Chinese subsidies. The tariffs are expected to cost carmakers billions over five years.

The bloc approved tariffs of up to 45% on EVs made in China, defying pleas from some European auto executives who fear retaliation from Beijing.

The European Union backed tariffs of up to 45% on imported Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) on Friday as it looks to counter Beijing's subsidies for automakers now targeting Europe. Here is political a

Big taxes will be imposed on imports of electric vehicles from China to the EU after the majority of member states backed the plans. The move to introduce tariffs aims to protect the European car industry from being undermined by what EU politicians believe are unfair Chinese-state subsidies on its own cars.

The European Union voted on Friday to impose tariffs as high as 45% on electric vehicles from China in a move set to increase trade tensions with Beijing, according to people familiar with the process.

EU countries are expected to confirm Friday hefty tariffs on electric cars made in China, a move dividing the bloc as some states led by Germany fear sparking a trade war with Beijing.The bloc faces a difficult task as it tries to foster its clean tech industry and invest in the green transition without sparking a painful trade war with China.

EU governments are expected to vote on higher tariffs for Chinese EVs on Friday. The support of France, Italy and Poland should be enough to pass the proposal despite Germany's concern about retaliation from Beijing.

The European Union is headed into an “economic cold war” if it opts to approve additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, according to Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

On October 4, 2024, the European Union officially voted to increase tariff rates on electric cars imported from China. However, not all countries agreed on this issue. The issue of tariffs on electric vehicles from China significantly divided European politicians.