The European Union started to impose tariffs of up to 37.6% on Chinese electric vehicles in July 2024. This move caused dissatisfaction among German automakers. After a meeting between China and Europe's top business leaders, the EU may replace EU tariff measures by setting a minimum selling price for electric vehicles imported from China.

The European Union has voted to impose additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles from early October, and the German government is still trying to persuade other member states to vote against it. Whether the measure can actually be implemented in October remains to be seen.

The German automobile industry is currently in a serious crisis. Volkswagen is considering closing its factory in Germany due to declining demand for its electric vehicles. General Motors of the United States has temporarily laid off two-thirds of its workers in its American assembly plants.

Various countries have announced layoffs and factory closures. However, China's automobile exports have surpassed Japan's, and become the world's largest automobile exporter.