Germany's automotive heavyweights are revving up criticism against the EU's new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), calling them a roadblock to green progress and fair trade. The tariffs, set to kick in Friday, could hit up to 37.6% and have industry leaders sounding the alarm 🚨.
'These tariffs won't turbocharge Europe's competitiveness—they'll just stall innovation,' said Hildegard Mueller of Germany's Automotive Industry Association (VDA). BMW's Oliver Zipse went further, calling the move a 'dead end' for Europe's climate goals 🌱.
The clash comes as EU battery-electric vehicle sales skidded 12% last month—a trend some blame on rising prices. Meanwhile, Germany's auto sector warns the tariffs could backfire: they exported €26.3B in cars to China last year vs. €6.8B imports ⚖️.
'We need affordable EVs to win the climate race,' argued economic expert Michael Schumann, urging Brussels to focus on cooperation over competition. Even Mercedes-Benz warned protectionism could 'crash the global auto party' 🚘💥.
With the EU aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, this tariff tussle could determine whether Europe's green transition stays in the fast lane—or gets stuck at a regulatory checkpoint 🛑🔋.
