The European Union has urged the United Kingdom to increase tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China and to align its trade policy with the bloc, warning that Britain could serve as a gateway for Chinese cars into Europe. The call comes amid heightened scrutiny of sectors such as steel and chemicals and as both sides negotiate the inclusion of their industries in the “Made in Europe” programme.

Key Fact

What happened: The EU has asked Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and to coordinate its trade measures with EU policy. Officials warn that, without such steps, the UK could become a corridor that lets Chinese cars bypass EU tariffs.

Geopolitical Note: EU and UK are taking divergent stances on Chinese imports.
Background

Historical context: For years the EU has used subsidies and public procurement to bolster its manufacturers under the “Made in Europe” initiative. After Brexit, the UK sought inclusion in that programme to avoid missing out on those subsidies. In 2024 the EU imposed tariffs on Chinese electric cars, but the UK did not, allowing Chinese brands to capture 16 % of Britain’s new‑car market.

Current Developments

Who is speaking: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester and a key UK political figure, has publicly resisted deeper alignment with the EU customs union and voiced concerns that new tariffs on Chinese EVs could jeopardise investments linked to the Chery‑Nissan partnership in Sunderland.

Sector focus: The EU has doubled tariffs on imported steel to 50 % and is monitoring titanium‑dioxide imports from Teesside after a Chinese firm acquired a local plant. These moves illustrate how trade tensions spill into related industrial sectors.