Who is the biggest loser?

Consumers are still the ones who are being hit the hardest, according to Josep Maria Gomes, international business development manager at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce.

EU imports of Chinese electric vehicles are set to more than double between 2021 and 2023, to more than 430,000 vehicles per year, worth €10 billion. (Source: AFP/Getty)

As the European Commission (EC) plans to impose additional tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China, expert Josep Maria Gomes warns that consumers will be the ones to suffer the most from the escalating trade conflict.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, the expert said that the European Union's (EU) move will not help boost the bloc's economic prosperity. According to him, consumers will be hurt the most. "Over the years, we have seen that protectionism has not brought a more competitive economy and it has not protected jobs," he said.

“Whether it is electric cars, batteries or other types of Chinese investment, if we make it difficult for investors through tariffs or other protectionist barriers, we (Europe) will only hurt ourselves,” said Josep Maria Gomes.

The European Commission on June 12 revealed a list of protectionist tariffs that will be levied on battery-powered electric vehicles imported from China, sparking protests and concerns from governments and businesses across Europe.

The provisional tariffs the Commission plans to impose on imports of electric vehicles from China will range from 17.4% to 38.1%.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cuoc-chien-thue-xe-dien-cua-eu-trung-quoc-ai-bi-thiet-nhieu-nhat-276045.html