Italy’s automotive lobby is calling on the European Union to impose tariffs of up to 80 percent on Chinese-made vehicles and auto parts, arguing that stronger protection is needed to counter what it describes as unfair competition.
The proposal would significantly increase the pressure on Brussels as Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers expand across European markets with competitively priced models.
The group says Chinese producers benefit from state support, allowing them to sell vehicles and components at prices European manufacturers may struggle to match.
An 80 percent tariff would go well beyond the EU’s existing trade measures and could raise prices for consumers while intensifying tensions with Beijing.
The appeal comes as European automakers face slowing demand, high production costs and the expensive transition to electric vehicles. EU policymakers are weighing how to defend domestic industry without triggering a broader trade dispute or undermining climate goals that depend on wider access to affordable electric cars.