Broad picture ties should stop the EU from imposing tariffs on Chinese EVs

The huge divide among European Union member states over the provisional tariffs imposed by the bloc on imported Chinese electric vehicles highlights the great need for the EU to think twice before taking the move that runs counter to market principles and undermines the relationship between the two major trade partners.

The EU has decided to impose provisional tariffs of up to 37.6 percent on EVs imported from China and is seeking the view of EU members through a "consultative" vote. The "consultative" vote is non-binding and will be followed by a final vote. If passed, the tariffs will be in place for as long as five years. In such a "consultative" vote on Tuesday, 12 EU member states, including France, Italy and Spain, voted for the tariffs, but four voted against, and 11, including Germany, Finland and Sweden, abstained. The European Commission had previously said the controversial measure could not be implemented if a majority of 15 or more member states, representing 65 percent of the EU's population, voted against the final vote.

That many EU members did not vote for the tariffs cannot necessarily stop the provisional tariffs from becoming the formal tariffs on Chinese EVs, but it does, to a large extent, reflect their concern over the consequences such a protectionist move can have on Sino-EU relations.