Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), a key member of the country's ruling coalition, has thrown its support behind the European Union's plan to impose tariffs on Chinese-made hybrid and electric vehicles, marking a notable shift in a nation where major automakers have long resisted such measures. The move comes as the EU weighs countervailing duties in response to what Brussels describes as state subsidies that give Chinese EV makers an unfair price advantage in European markets. German carmakers like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have significant manufacturing and sales operations in China, making them wary of tariffs that could provoke retaliatory measures from Beijing. The SPD's endorsement strengthens the political case for the European Commission to finalize its trade defense measures, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape for affordable EVs in Europe.
Germany’s Ruling SPD Backs EU Tariffs on Chinese Hybrid Cars Bloomberg.com
