Automotive News Europe — 2025-01-29
Automotive Industry
Mercedes-Benz is joining a Geely lawsuit against EU tariffs on electric cars imported from China, adding to a flurry of legal cases targeting the duties.
The German automaker is joining its Chinese joint venture partner in the lawsuit against the tariffs that peak at 45%, a Mercedes spokeswoman said on 28 January 2025.
Tesla and BMW have also sued the European Commission.
Auto executives in Europe have warned that the duties will raise prices and damage trade relations. Mercedes and Geely jointly produce Smart-branded vehicles in China.
The cars currently face an almost 20% tariff when sold into Europe.
The EU imposed the tariffs last year after an investigation found that China unfairly subsidized its industry. Months of talks failed to resolve the trade dispute, leading Brussels to tack the new fees onto an existing 10% duty.
The EU has only seen limited progress in negotiations with China over a comprehensive deal to replace the EV tariffs, Bloomberg reported in late November.