BRUSSELS — The decision by President Joe Biden to quadruple import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles Tuesday has overshadowed an ongoing investigation by the European Union that is likely to result in much weaker action.
The EU won’t match the U.S. tariffs, as it sticks close to restraints put on international trade by the World Trade Organization.
Meanwhile, the French-German axis at the heart of the EU is creaking under the pressure, with Paris seeking greater protection from Beijing’s export drive and Berlin fearful that its carmakers could end up being shut out of the huge Chinese market.
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As both Washington and Brussels seek to cordon off their markets, Chinese manufacturers will be tempted set up shop inside the tariff walls.
