The EU has reportedly adjusted the tariffs the union will hit Chinese-built electric cars with. This applies, among other things, to for Tesla as well as Volvo's owner, Geely.
The EU has already reduced the original punitive tariff rates with which Chinese-built electric cars will be hit. And now the union is doing it again for the benefit of Tesla.
Reuters writes that.
The news agency does not go into any specific reason for the lower duty rate, but according to the media's information, Tesla gets away with 7.8 percent penalty duty instead of the agreed 9.
Geely also gets through the EU's customs walls more easily. The Chinese group, which i.a. owns and builds Volvo cars in China, gets away with 18.8 percent penalty duty instead of 19.3.
READ ALSO: Sweden bows and reintroduces state subsidies for electric cars
According to the original agreement, Tesla should have paid a 20.8 percent punitive duty on cars built in China, while Geely's original penalty was slightly lower – namely 19.9 percent. That is, on top of the 10 percent duty that is already on all cars from China.
For its part, according to a statement from the country's deputy trade minister, China is keen to keep the dialogue with the EU 'ongoing'. Other car brands that have refused to cooperate with the EU in an attempt to identify illegal state subsidies are punished far more severely than both Tesla and Geely.
– China is willing to continue the close cooperation with the European side to find a solution that meets the interests of both parties and is in accordance with the rules, reads a statement from China's Ministry of Economy and Trade.
Read more exciting news from and about the world of cars right here!
