The automobile manufacturer Tesla, founded by Elon Musk, and BMW have initiated a lawsuit against the European Union due to tariffs imposed on electric car imports, joining other Chinese manufacturers in a series of similar cases. The tariffs reach up to 45 percent on electric vehicle imports in the bloc.
The two electric vehicle manufacturers filed lawsuits against the European Commission last week, according to the EU General Court's website. Elon Musk's action adds to the tensions with the EU, amplified by his position as the richest man in the world in recent months.
The EU has made limited progress in negotiations with China to reach a comprehensive agreement that replaces tariffs on electric vehicles. Tesla, which manufactures cars for the European market in China, has not yet commented on the situation. On the other hand, BMW expressed that the EU tariffs on electric cars do not benefit the competitiveness of European manufacturers and restrict the supply of these vehicles to European customers.
BMW has been affected by a 20.7 percent tariff, while other brands such as the British MG Motor, SAIC, have faced tariffs of 45 percent amid the dispute. The German company also mentioned that it prefers to seek a political agreement through negotiation rather than resorting to legal measures.
The EU imposed anti-subsidy tariffs and an additional 10 percent tax on Tesla, further complicating the situation. The lack of progress in negotiations has led to the imposition of new tariffs, creating an uncertain environment for electric vehicle manufacturers in the European market.
