German car association: China and EU should still avert tariffs

The German Association of the Automotive Industry has warned of negative effects following the EU vote on possible punitive tariffs on electric cars from China.

VDA President Hildegard Müller said in a statement issued on Friday that this was "another step away from global cooperation." She claimed that the potential damage would therefore be greater than the possible benefit of the instrument.

Müller called on both sides to prevent an escalation through negotiations, adding, "ideally avoid the tariffs to prevent risking a trade conflict."

She said that solutions must be found through constructive talks. Both sides, China and the European Union, she asserted, must approach each other.

In a vote in Brussels, there was not a sufficient majority of EU countries against additional EU tariffs on electric cars from China, which means the commission can decide to impose duties of up to 35.3%. Germany had opposed the move.