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China, UK Hold EV Trade Talks as Beijing Warns Against Restrictions on Chinese Electric Cars

person Priya Sharma

calendar_today November 12, 2026 at 9:47 AM

schedule 3 min read

Rear three-quarter view of a blue MG Cyberster electric roadster with its roof down at the Beijing auto show.

Summary

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds discussed EV trade issues in a November 11 video call, with China's readout disclosing no positions or outcomes. The talks come as Britain weighs its policy toward Chinese EVs after Beijing threatened countermeasures against any restrictions.

The 2 sides held a video call on November 11, with China's commerce ministry providing no details of the discussions or outcomes in its brief readout.

Beijing previously warned it would take firm countermeasures if Britain imposed restrictions on Chinese EVs.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video call with UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds to discuss economic and trade issues including electric vehicles (EVs), following Beijing's warning against British restrictions on Chinese EVs.

Wang spoke with Reynolds on November 11 at the latter's request, China's Ministry of Commerce said in a brief statement on Thursday. The 2 sides discussed economic and trade issues of mutual concern.

The readout did not disclose either side's specific position on EVs or mention any tariff arrangements, policy changes or agreements.

The call came as Britain weighs its trade policy toward Chinese EVs. London is seeking closer industrial cooperation with the European Union, while Chinese automakers continue to expand sales and investment in the UK.

China's commerce ministry said on October 19 that cooperation between the Chinese and British auto industries was complementary, equal and mutually beneficial. It urged Britain to abide by World Trade Organization rules and avoid following the EU in restricting Chinese EVs.

Beijing warned at the time that it would take firm countermeasures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industry if Britain proceeded with restrictions.

The EU has demanded that Britain raise import tariffs on Chinese EVs, linking the treatment of British goods under its "Made in Europe" policy to trade policy alignment, the Financial Times reported on September 25.

Britain did not follow the EU in imposing additional tariffs on Chinese EVs in 2024. In October that year, the EU introduced definitive countervailing duties on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) imported from China for a period of 5 years.

The additional duties were set at between 7.8% and 35.3%. Combined with the existing standard import tariff of 10%, the maximum total rate reached 45.3%.

The trade policy uncertainty comes as Chinese automakers continue to expand in Britain. Geely Auto (HKEX: 0175) announced on October 19 that it had signed its hundredth UK retail outlet, less than 1 year after entering the market.

Geely said at the time that its cumulative UK vehicle registrations had exceeded 10,000 after 11 months in the market.

Chery (HKEX: 9973) is also expanding its UK business. The company plans to bring its iCar brand to Britain under its overseas name, iCaur, with sales starting in early 2027, Bloomberg and Reuters reported on October 15.

Overseas markets are becoming increasingly important to growth in China's auto industry. China's new energy vehicle (NEV) exports rose about 140% year-on-year to 606,000 in October, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said on November 11.

Domestic NEV sales fell 8.6% to 1.334 million over the same period, underscoring how export growth is helping automakers offset pressure in their home market.