Germany urges UK to raise tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles for Made‑in‑Europe opt‑outs

In a closed‑door exchange, Germany’s government has asked the United Kingdom to increase tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles as a condition for receiving opt‑outs from the EU’s forthcoming Made‑in‑Europe rules. The request came after Prime Minister Andy Burnham met Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said the move would demonstrate reciprocity and counter EU accusations that Britain is cherry‑picking benefits of EU membership. Britain, which is re‑examining its future relationship with the bloc, fears the new rules could hurt its automakers and wants assurances that it can opt out. Germany’s demand reflects its concern that Chinese imports, seen as state‑subsidised and predatory, threaten its car industry and could raise EV prices, complicating the UK’s decarbonisation targets.