France Supports European Tariffs on China EVs, Minister Says

France’s new foreign minister said his country supports a European Union plan to impose tariffs on electric vehicles produced in China given the subsidies Beijing has used to maintain dominance in the sector.

“The intention of the EU by raising those tariffs is not to engage in some form of general protectionist policy with respect to China,” Jean-Noel Barrot said in an interview with Bloomberg Television’s Annmarie Hordern. “It is basically to create a level playing field.”

Applying reciprocity measures will allow Europe to remain “more independent, stronger economically and strategically more autonomous,” he said.