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China commerce minister says reached 'soft landing' with EU over EV tariffs

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 28, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 28, 2026

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China commerce minister says reached 'soft landing' with EU over EV tariffs
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China and EU Reach 'Soft Landing' Over Electric Vehicle Import Tariffs

Overview of China-EU Electric Vehicle Tariff Negotiations

Background on Tariff Discussions

BEIJING, April 28 (Reuters) - Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said China and the European Union had "reached a soft landing" over the bloc's import tariffs on electric vehicles, during a meeting with the head of a German automakers industry group.

China's Position and Hopes for Future Cooperation

Wang said China hoped the German Association of the Automotive Industry would use its influence within the EU to urge the bloc to "respect free competition, abide by World Trade Organization rules, and amend inappropriate provisions", according to a readout of his Monday meeting with its president Hildegard Muller released on Tuesday.

Recent Developments and Tariff Adjustments

The European Commission has imposed additional duties on imported China-made EVs made since 2024. In February 2026, the Commission approved for the first time a request by Volkswagen's Cupra brand to free its Tavascan SUV Coupe - which is made in China - from tariffs in exchange for a minimum price and annual quota model.

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

Key Takeaways

  • China and EU reached a “soft landing” over EV tariffs, urging adherence to WTO rules and free competition — as stated by Minister Wang Wentao (en.wikipedia.org)
  • Since 2024, the EU has imposed additional countervailing duties of up to ~38% on China-made EVs on top of a 10% base import tariff; major firms like BYD, Geely, and SAIC have faced specific rates (carbonbrief.org)
  • In February 2026, the EU granted Volkswagen's Cupra Tavascan a tariff exemption under a minimum-price and quota deal—marking the first such case under the new regime (investing.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What did China and the EU agree on regarding electric vehicle tariffs?
China and the EU have reached a 'soft landing' over tariffs on China-made electric vehicle imports, aiming for fair competition while encouraging the EU to respect WTO rules.
What actions has the European Commission taken on Chinese electric vehicles?
Since 2024, the European Commission has imposed additional duties on imported China-made electric vehicles.
How is Volkswagen affected by EU tariffs on Chinese EVs?
Volkswagen's Cupra brand received approval to exempt its Tavascan SUV Coupe, made in China, from tariffs if sold at a minimum price and under a quota model.
What role does the German Association of the Automotive Industry play in this issue?
China hopes the German Association will influence the EU to respect free competition and amend any inappropriate provisions in the tariff policy.

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