China Warns UK Over EV Tariff Plan as Burnham Weighs Levies Up to 45%

Beijing has expressed "serious concern" to the UK over potential tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, threatening to "respond accordingly" if "discriminatory" measures are imposed, the Chinese embassy in London said. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has authorized officials to draft options matching EU tariffs of up to 45%, up from the UK's current 10%. The warning comes as Andy Burnham weighs imposing levies, with Britain under pressure from Brussels to align or risk exclusion from the EU's "made in Europe" support package. The proposed EU scheme would block products with more than 30% foreign-made content from subsidies or public procurement. UK carmakers fear being frozen out of their largest export market. Chinese-made EVs now range from just under £15,000 to about £80,000 in Britain. Battery EV sales rose 36% to a record 99,000 in September, per the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Vertu Motors CEO Robert Forrester said tariffs would slow, but not stop, Chinese market-share gains.