Hungarian FM says tariffs on Chinese EVs harmful to EU

The European Union's (EU) decision to levy tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles is a bad decision that is harmful to the EU economy, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Friday.

Szijjarto said that Hungary regrets the EU's decision, which he said is "anti-democratic" as only 10 out of the 27 EU member states backed it, while attending the Istanbul Energy Forum at the Istanbul Congress Center, a one-day event organized by Anadolu Agency under the auspices of the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

"We are in favor of enhancing cooperation with China," especially economic cooperation, he said, noting that many Chinese investors are now active in Hungary.

"The EU should make better and more active cooperation with China when it comes to trade and economy," he added.

On October 29, the EU announced a controversial decision to impose tariffs of up to 45.3 percent on Chinese EVs for at least five years.

On November 8, a Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson said China and the EU had made progress in negotiations on a proposed price commitment plan concerning Chinese EVs.