On the 4th of October, when members of the European Union voted in favour of imposing tariffs of up to 45 per cent on Chinese Electric Vehicles (EVs) for at least the next five years, they did not just simply take a step to “de-risk” from China and/or put their policies in line with Washington’s.

A Divided Europe

The British newspaper, Financial Times, described Germany as the main “culprit” for its vote against EU’s tariffs. It is almost as if Germany is heading towards a de facto ex-communication from the bloc vis-à-vis China. Those who voted for imposing tariffs feel betrayed. It is also as if exercising autonomy in the EU is akin to committing an unpardonable criminal act. It is also as if national interest no longer matters in the EU.

As it stands, Germany’s decision to oppose tariffs has everything to do with its national interests. Germany is one of the biggest investors in China from the EU, with the German auto industry a key player in the Chinese market. If Berlin’s raison d’eter for voting against tariffs was motivated by its so-called “selfish” interest, so was the decision of those who voted for these tariffs. They were also trying to protect “their” interests – interests that did not necessarily........

© New Eastern Outlook