German State Politician Calls for Swift EU Tariffs on Chinese Hybrid Cars
Call for Immediate EU Action on Chinese Hybrid Car Imports
By Andreas Rinke
Lechner's Appeal for Tariffs
BERLIN, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Sebastian Lechner, the CDU state chairman of Lower Saxony, is calling for the European Union to quickly impose import tariffs on Chinese hybrid cars, a letter seen by Reuters on Friday showed.
Import Pressure from Chinese Automakers
• "It is precisely these hybrids that are currently facing the greatest import pressure from Chinese automakers," Lechner told Reuters later on Friday.
OECD Study and Market Share Concerns
• Lechner pointed to an OECD study showing that approximately 60% of the market share held by Chinese products abroad is attributable to subsidies, something he called a "distortion of competition" in trade policy. "We expect the European Commission and the German federal government to adjust our trade policy toward China,” the politician said.
Impact on Lower Saxony and Volkswagen
• In Lower Saxony, the issue is an important one for the Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen Group.
Existing Duties and Urgency for Hybrid Tariffs
• Import duties are already in place for electric cars from China and Lechner said EU tariffs on hybrid cars from China must be imposed quickly.
(Reporting by Andreas Rinke, writing by Maria Martinez; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
