EU push for tariffs on Chinese EVs criticized

The European Union's vote on Friday to impose punitive tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China has drawn criticism for its protectionism and potential damage to the EU economies, according to officials, business leaders and scholars.

The vote on Friday was quite divided. Germany, the largest economy in the EU, along with Hungary, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia, voted against the tariffs, while France and nine other countries voted in favor. A total of 12 member states abstained.

Under the EU rules, the divided vote still paves the way for tariffs of up to 35.3 percent on EVs imported from China after the European Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation a year ago.