The European Union is introducing preliminary punitive tariffs on electric car imports from China on Friday, the Union's official journal announced on Thursday.
The sanctions, among others, also affect the Chinese company BYD, a prominent sponsor of the European football championship, which is just coming to an end in Germany.
The tariffs are a punishment for unmarketable Chinese subsidization of electric car production. According to the Commission, Chinese models are therefore usually about a fifth cheaper than European ones.
Specifically, BYD faces punitive duties at a rate of 17,4 percent, Geely 19,9 percent and SAIC 37,6 percent.
The EU imposes a customs duty of 20,8 percent on other Chinese manufacturers, and companies that did not cooperate with the European Commission in the investigation are subject to a customs duty of 37,6 percent.
The final introduction of those tariffs is planned for four months. China's measure may still prevent some surprising concessions. Until then, the EU will not collect the customs duty, but will only deposit it as a guarantee.
In Germany, the move by Brussels caused concern, due to the possible retaliation of the Chinese, which will hit the German automobile industry the hardest.
China is the world's largest car market and last year, according to the data of the association of the German automobile industry VDA, it was German brands in terms of exports, behind the USA and Great Britain.
German companies, however, could hit not only possible Chinese countermeasures, but also the EU itself, because part of German production for export is located in China.
Talks on the EU-China dispute were recently held by Chinese Trade Minister Wang Wentao and European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. However, it is completely uncertain whether there is any solution in sight.
The European Commission has often repeated that negotiations must lead to the abolition of disloyal Chinese subsidies. Talks between Brussels and Beijing will continue in the following weeks.
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