China commerce minister says reached 'soft landing' with EU over EV tariffs
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao speaks at a press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress, in Beijing, China on March 6.
PHOTO: Reuters
BEIJING — 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.
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 Organisation rules, and amend inappropriate provisions", according to a readout of his Monday meeting with its president Hildegard Muller released on Tuesday (April 28).
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.
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