EU seeks to curb Chinese hybrids through trade talks
Brussels is discussing measures with Beijing as imports of Chinese hybrid cars rise sharply.
EU negotiators are travelling to China on Thursday and Friday to discuss the rapidly growing import of Chinese hybrid cars. Brussels wants China to limit exports voluntarily; otherwise, quotas or other trade measures may follow.
European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will meet Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on 8 and 9 October. According to The Guardian, the European Commission is trying to prevent a trade conflict over cars that fall outside the existing EU duties on fully electric vehicles.
The growth in Chinese hybrid cars is substantial. In 2022, according to Eurostat data, 659 fully hybrid cars made in China were sold in the European Union. In the first seven months of 2026, the figure was 160,662. Plug-in hybrids also increased, from 56,706 in the whole of 2022 to 217,764 in the first seven months of this year.
In 2024, the EU imposed countervailing duties on battery-electric cars from China. The European Commission said at the time that Chinese producers had benefited from unfair subsidies. According to the Commission, the definitive tariffs range from 7.8 to 35.3 per cent.
Hybrid cars are not subject to those duties in the same way. This created an opening for manufacturers seeking access to the European market with hybrid models. Brands such as BYD, Chery, Leapmotor and Geely are rapidly gaining ground, according to market data.
For European carmakers, the debate is about competition and production capacity. For consumers, Chinese models could mean more choice and lower prices. At the same time, the EU faces a broader question: how can it protect industries without allowing trade with China to escalate further?
The forthcoming talks are exploratory. There has been no decision on quotas, new tariffs or a voluntary restriction on Chinese exports. Nor is it known whether Beijing will put forward a proposal acceptable to the European Commission.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Imports of Chinese hybrid cars into the EU have increased sharply.
- The EU already imposes tariffs on Chinese battery-electric cars.
- Brussels and Beijing are discussing possible next steps.
Left
Arguments The EU should not subordinate climate targets and affordable mobility for consumers to protectionism. Trade measures could raise prices and slow the shift to cleaner cars.
Values Affordability, climate policy and international co-operation.
Consequences New tariffs could affect consumers and make Europe’s transition to sustainability more expensive.
Centre
Arguments The EU should first establish whether there is genuinely unfair competition and then choose measures that comply with WTO rules. A voluntary agreement could prevent escalation.
Values Rules, evidence, proportionality and predictability for businesses.
Consequences A careful investigation may take time, but it reduces the risk of a trade war.
Right
Arguments Europe must protect its own car industry from state support and overcapacity in China. Without limits, European factories and jobs could come under pressure.
Values Economic self-reliance, industrial policy and domestic employment.
Consequences Trade barriers could protect European production, but may prompt Chinese countermeasures.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The import figures, existing duties and planned talks can be found in public European and journalistic sources. The text presents possible measures as options, not as decisions that have been taken.
- confirmed EU and Chinese negotiators will meet on 8 and 9 October. — The Guardian mentions the planned meeting between Šefčovič and Wang Wentao. source
- confirmed In the first seven months of 2026, 160,662 fully hybrid Chinese cars were sold in the EU. — This figure is cited on the basis of Eurostat data. source
- confirmed The EU imposed duties on Chinese battery-electric cars in 2024. — The European Commission describes the definitive countervailing duties and the tariffs. source
- confirmed There has been no decision on quotas or new tariffs for hybrid cars. — The sources consulted describe talks and possible measures, not an established decision. source
Editor's note
The sales figures and planned talks are supported by information from The Guardian and Eurostat. There has been no decision on new EU measures.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „china hybride auto's”
- NOS — „china hybride auto's”
- Het Parool — „china hybride auto's”