| Member states failed to block the European Commission’s proposed tariffs on China-made electric vehicles on Friday (4 October), paving the way for definitive imposition of the duties by the end of this month. The vote means that the Commission will be able to introduce tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese automakers, including BYD, Geely, and SAIC. The duties will come on top of the EU’s standard 10% car levy and must be imposed by 30 October as a matter of law, according to the European Commission. Ten EU countries voted in favour of the duties and only five voted against. 12 member states abstained. A 'qualified majority' of 15 member states, representing 65% of the EU’s population, was required to vote against the tariffs to prevent them from being imposed for a five-year period. | 