Germany Appears Set To Abstain From EU Vote On Imposing China Tariffs

MNI London: Wires carrying comments from German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, ahead of a Monday midnight deadline for all 27 EU members states to declare their position on imposing EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

• Habeck said: “Germany contributed to discussion on duties on EVs from China without making a decision... It is crucial to seek a rapid and consensual solution with China.”
• Habeck added: “Only when decision on final tariffs is made is a decision by EU member states important, as it is legally binding.”
• Reuters reports that, "Italy and Spain are backing European Union tariffs on imports of China-built electric vehicles..."
• Reuters notes: "The vote is non-binding, but it could influence the final conclusion of the European Commission, which oversees the bloc's trade policy. It set provisional duties of up to 37.6% on EVs imported from China, ratcheting up tensions with Beijing."
• Habeck said last week: “A race over tariffs is wrong. Wrong for an export nation like Germany, wrong for an automotive nation like Germany, but ultimately also wrong for consumers.”
• Bloomberg notes that, “competition from China is undercutting German prices in nearly all areas of production. While average Chinese EV prices decreased to €32,000, Germany’s average EV price increased over the past years to €52,700. Support for German carmakers could come from the EU’s announced tariffs against Chinese EV’s — if there weren’t the potential counter tariffs from China.”