Abstract:
According to Reuters, citing the British "Times" report, the UK is considering imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. British Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is drafting a potential tariff plan for Chinese imported cars, citing concerns that Chinese manufacturers are "dumping" state-subsidized cars into the UK.
Reports show that British ministers are preparing to impose tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese electric vehicles in line with the EU to avoid the impact of the EU's "Made in Europe" proposal on British companies.
The EU's "Made in Europe" policy aims to reduce dependence on Chinese parts and components by giving priority to the purchase of goods made in Europe. This makes British car companies that supply parts and components for the European manufacturing chain and export complete vehicles to the EU quite nervous.
The Financial Times reported in September that Brussels urged the UK to align more closely with EU trade policies. If the UK wants to avoid "Made in Europe" barriers, it should increase tariffs on Chinese cars.
However, the Times also quoted senior government sources as saying that ministers believe that any tariff decisions should be based on British national interests, rather than automatically following the EU's footsteps.
Reuters said it could not immediately verify the report. A British government spokesman responded that the United Kingdom has not currently imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, and the government will continue to maintain close communication with the industry to ensure that policies reflect the national interests of the industry and the United Kingdom. Currently, Chinese-made cars entering the UK only need to pay a 10% basic tariff.
It is understood that behind the tariff rumors is the explosive growth of Chinese cars in the British market.
SMMT data shows that in the first half of 2026, Chinese brands sold 183,000 vehicles in the UK, a year-on-year increase of more than 110%, and their market share rose to 16.1%, surpassing Japanese and Korean brands.
In March this year, Chery’s JAECOO 7 won the UK’s monthly car sales title for the first time with monthly sales of 10,064 units, and topped the UK sales list again in September (10,813 units);
BYD is also gaining momentum in the UK. In 2023, it sold only more than 1,000 units. In 2025, it sold 51,422 units, surpassing Tesla in one fell swoop. In the first half of this year, it registered 37,795 units, a year-on-year increase of 95%. SAIC MG is firmly in the top spot among Chinese brands, with more than 85,000 vehicles registered in the UK in 2025.
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