Hungary rejects EU's punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said in New York late Monday that Hungary opposes the European Union’s punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Earlier, Szijjártó met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, to discuss the implementation of agreements signed in May, during a visit to Hungary by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the development of ties between Europe and China, and political steps on the global stage in the interest of peace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

“Hungary is a good example of the big economic benefits a civilised East-West cooperation can bring,” Szijjártó said, pointing to business partnerships between Western European and Chinese automotive industry companies to advance electromobility.

He said that the EU’s competitiveness could improve “dramatically” if it cooperated with China instead of “creating confrontation.”

In that context, levying punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs is “a very bad idea,” he said, adding that European automotive industry companies are “protesting the measure tooth and nail.”

“Hungary is against the tariffs and will vote against them. And we hope that in the coming years, a civilised, sensible economic cooperation based on mutual respect can be established with China,” he said.

Hungary “greatly appreciates” the Chinese-Brazilian peace initiative, Szijjártó said. He added that Hungary would continue cooperating closely with China to promote global pro-peace efforts.

Orbán threatened: this is how the man was arrested for the deadly video – watch here

Hungary rejects EU’s punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs