Trade wars escalate as Chinese automakers request retaliatory tariffs on cars imported from EU
As anticipated, China and its massive network of EV OEMs are not pleased with the EU Commission’s recent decision to impose tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles. In retaliation, Chinese automakers have implored their government to increase tariffs on imported European cars.
Today’s automotive trade news is the latest jab thrown in an ongoing bout between China and Europe. Following an anti-subsidy probe that began last fall, the EU Commission determined that Chinese-built EVs have an unfair advantage in European markets.
Even before the commission shared the results of its probe, the EU was already threatening tariffs on Chinese imports, following the lead of the US, which recently upped tariffs to 100%. As China awaited the probe’s results, it threatened tariffs of its own against European automakers, vowing to implement upcharges up to 25% on gasoline vehicles imported into China.
EU automakers like BMW, Volkswagen Group, and Mercedes-Benz could be directly affected by tariffs in China. As a result, Germany has already publicly spoken out against tariffs on Chinese EVs in hopes both sides can reach a trade resolution before they take effect.
Meanwhile, despite the looming tariffs, Chinese EV automakers have expressed a steeled resolve to continue expanding into European markets. Locally, however, those same OEMs are requesting the Chinese government raise the proposed tariffs on EU automakers.
Chinese OEMs want higher tariffs on EU imports
According to the Chinese state-backed Global Times newspaper, local EV automakers have urged Beijing to hike its tariffs on combustion vehicles imported from Europe in retaliation for the EU Commission’s recent actions to deter Chinese-made EVs in markets overseas.
The report states that China’s Ministry of Commerce held a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday with big names in automotive, such as SAIC, BYD, BMW, Volkswagen, and Porsche. During the meeting, Chinese OEMs called on their government to “adopt firm countermeasures (and) suggested that positive consideration be given to raising the provisional tariff on gasoline cars with large-displacement engines.”
Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Renault were reportedly also present. The meeting appears to have been a rallying attempt to get EU automakers to help pressure the Commission in Brussels to at least ease tariffs, if not nix them altogether.
German automakers have a lot of skin in the game in markets on both sides of the world, and their attendance in Beijing proves that Europe’s automotive leader is, at the very least, trying to ease trade tensions.
Earlier today, the EU Commission acknowledged the retaliatory threat of Chinese tariffs and appeared open to negotiating, stating it is monitoring the situation “with a view to discussing if a mutually agreeable solution can be found.”
The EU’s tariffs on Chinese-made EVs are currently slated to take effect on July 4, 2024, so there’s still time for the two regions to reach a solution.
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Environment
Oil prices jump more than 3%, adding to last week’s surge, as Israel strikes Iran energy facilities
Kenworth has announced the addition of Bendix’ Fusion advanced driver assist system (ADAS) to its line of options on the T680 line of Class 8 commercial semi trucks – a lineup that includes the Next Generation T680E battery electric semi truck.
One of the many new trucks revealed at the 2025 ACT Expo in Anaheim, California earlier this year, the Next Generation Kenworth T680E featured the latest advancements in battery-electric technology, an enhanced exterior design, and a suite of new, in-cab technology that extends to the addition of three Bendix Fusion version: ADAS, ADAS PRO, and ADAS PREMIER.
All three of the announced ADAS packages offer updated Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with ACC Stop and Auto Go™, a new Pedestrian Autonomous Emergency Braking (PAEB) feature, and a new High Beam Assist feature to reduce the likelihood of blinding oncoming drivers supported by the addition of a new forward-looking camera.
Those updates are in addition to the ADAS units Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Multi-Lane Autonomous Emergency Braking, Highway Departure Braking (HDB), and Stationary Vehicle Braking (SVB), Lane Departure Warning, and Bendix® Blindspotter® Side Object Detection already available on previous versions of the ADAS-equipped Kenworth.
Kenworth migital mirrors
Now that we’ve got that acronym-loaded word-salad out of the way, we can get to the point: the newest generation of electric trucks is easier and safer to drive – and not just safer for the truck’s operators, but for the people who share the roads with them, too.
Kenworth T680E electric semi
The Next-Generation T680E is available with up to 605 peak hp and 1,850 lb-ft of torque from a PACCAR Integrated ePowertrain fed from a 500 kWh li-ion battery pack good for more than 200 miles of loaded range. The updated Class 8 BEV is rated up to 82,000 lb. gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR), and can get that load back up to speed quickly with a 350 kW peak charge rate that means the T680E can charge up to 90% in just two hours.
That system isn’t just more efficient than the first generation truck, it’s also more serviceable than it was before.
“This move to a fully integrated and ground-up PACCAR design means we were able to design for enhanced serviceability,” explains Joe Adams, Kenworth’s chief engineer. “Providing easier access to the Master Service Disconnects for improved safety and increased uptime and allowing the use of the DAVIE service tool for troubleshooting and diagnostics.”
The Next Generation Kenworth T680E electric semi truck is designed for short and regional-haul, LTL, and drayage operations. It’s available as a day cab as either a tractor or straight truck in a 6×4 axle configuration.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Kenworth; via Kenworth.
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Just like it says on the tin – retailers are advertising killer deals on the fun-to-drive Kia Niro EV, with one midwest auto dealer reporting more than $10,000 off the sticker price of the Niro EV Wind. That’s nearly 25% off the top line price!
SKIP THE STORY: get straight to the deals.
The Kia Niro EV gets overshadowed by its objectively excellent EV6 and EV9 stablemates – both of which are currently available with substantial lease cash and 0% APR financing, in fact – but that doesn’t mean it’s not an excellent little electric runabout in its own right.
The last time I had a Niro EV tester, my kids loved it, I liked that it was quicker and more tossable than I expected it to be, and my wife liked the fact that “it doesn’t look electric. It looks normal.” And, with well over 200 miles of real world range (EPA-rated range is 253 miles), it was more than up to the task of commuting around Chicago and making the trip up to the Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee and back without even needing to look for a charger.
It’s not the primary family hauler I’d choose – but as a second car? As a primary car for a slightly smaller family (1-2 kids, instead of 3-4)? The Kia Niro EV Wind, with a $42,470 MSRP, seems like a solid, “can’t go wrong” sort of choice. You know?
You won’t even have to pay that much, though. Raymond Kia in Antioch, Illinois is advertising a $42,470 Niro EV for $32,431 (that’s $10,039, or about 24% off the MSRP), and several others are advertising prices in the $33,000 range.
And, while we’re at it:
Kia Niro EV gallery
SOURCE | IMAGES: CarsDirect, Edmunds, Raymond Kia.
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