Rome (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that Italy supports tariffs proposed by the European Commission on Chinese exports of electric vehicles (EVs).
Italy backs tariffs proposed by the EU Commission on Chinese exports of electric vehicles (EVs), Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated in an interview issued before he met China’s commerce minister in Rome. “We support the duties that the EU Commission proposes, to protect the competitiveness of our companies,” Tajani conveyed to the daily Corriere della Sera in an interview.
What was discussed in Tajani’s meeting with China’s minister?
Minister Wang Wentao is visiting Europe for talks on the European Union’s anti-subsidy case against China-made EVs as the vote on more tariffs dominates. He held discussions with Tajani in Rome but a statement from the Italian foreign ministry drove no direct reference to EVs. The two men discussed the security of intellectual property, trade in the agri-food sector, and investment, Tajani stated in the statement.
They also examined the war in Ukraine and the crises in Gaza and the Red Sea, with Italy calling on Beijing to assist tackle the issue of arms supplies to Russia and the protection of shipping in the Red Sea. Wentao will hold discussions with the European Commission’s Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on Sept. 19.
Why does Italy back EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles?
“We want to operate on a trade plan based on equality, we demand similar access for our products in their markets. Our companies must contend on equal terms,” Tajani expressed in the interview, ideas he repeated during the meeting.
Italy initially defended tariffs in a non-binding vote of EU members in July but Industry Minister Adolfo Urso told Reuters last week that he desired a negotiated solution. Italy remains a major carmaker, home to brands including Fiat, part of the Stellantis group. It has also been striving to woo Chinese carmakers including Dongfeng and Chery Auto to open factories to raise vehicle output.
In the newspaper discussion, Tajani added that his position did not compromise Italy’s “good relations” with China. At the end of July, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited China, to boost collaboration with the world’s second-largest economy and reset trade relations after leaving the Belt and Road infrastructure investment plan. President Sergio Mattarella is scheduled to visit China later this year, with Tajani as part of the delegation. The European Commission is on the verge of proposing final tariffs of up to 35.3% on EVs built in China, on lid of the EU’s standard 10% car import duty.
