green ambitions and its tariff policies.

"The EU's temporary anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese EVs hinder mutually beneficial cooperation and obstruct the green and low-carbon transition," Schumann warned.

Luigi Gambardella, president of the Brussels-based international digital association ChinaEU, criticized the EU's protectionist measures, stating that they "risk stifling future advancements in mobility technologies."

He encouraged efforts to advance mutual investment, foster mutual growth and ensure that the benefits of EV technology are shared more widely.

"EVs are crucial for Europe's transition to a low-carbon economy," Gambardella said, pointing out that high costs already pose a significant barrier to widespread EV adoption. He argued that the proposed tariffs could further slow consumer adoption of electric vehicles, undermining Europe's climate goals and delaying the shift away from fossil fuels.

"We hope to see a greater variety of EV brands on the market, particularly cost-effective Chinese models, to accelerate Germany's green and low-carbon transition," Schumann said, highlighting China's role in the global green transformation of the transportation sector.

Croatian political analyst Mladen Plese said that the Europeans are returning to classic outdated technologies in the auto industry because of the high prices of EVs. "If the prices of EVs continue to be high, this will certainly continue, and this will threaten the green transition in Europe."

"THREAT TO CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS"

Experts are concerned about the potential long-term impact on the EU's auto industry and broader trade relations with China brought by the tariffs.

Triinu Prits, head of the foreign trade policy and international economic organizations' division at Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that while Estonia lacks an automotive industry, the EU's tariff measures would still affect the country's subcontractors, importers, car maintenance providers and consumers.

"Tariffs could make the European market less attractive to Chinese firms looking to collaborate or enter the European market," Gambardella warned. He said that protectionist measures are clearly "a threat to current market conditions" and could have far-reaching consequences for the future of mobility in Europe.

"Any political or economic measures, including potential countermeasures, could lead to unpredictable consequences," Prits said.