China’s Ministry of Commerce warned that it will push back if the United Kingdom imposes restrictions on Chinese electric vehicles. The spokesperson spoke on Monday, 19 October. G4Media carries the story, via Politico, on 21 October. This is a warning, not a tariff already in force.

The official text: if the British side insists on restrictive measures against Chinese EVs, China will take countermeasures and will defend the industry’s rights. Beijing asks London to abide by WTO rules, to think twice and “not to follow the European Union’s example”. That is not a duty applied in London today.

The reaction follows reports that London wants to act “in lockstep” with the EU towards Chinese carmakers. Anas Sarwar, the UK trade minister, said last week, at the German–British business summit at Mansion House, that closer coordination with Brussels is in both sides’ interest. That is a political line, not a regulation.

Britain is negotiating to avoid a 10% customs duty on electric vehicles that could take effect early next year, under tighter rules of origin in the post-Brexit trade deal. The government also wants a path into the EU’s “Made in Europe” policies. Those are talks, not a decision published today.

Xinhua confirms the same communique: China–UK auto cooperation is described in Beijing as equal and mutually beneficial. China says it will watch British moves closely. Politico and G4 put that in the context of pressure to align with EU tariffs. Alignment is an option under discussion, not a British tariff in force.

Until London imposes a measure, this remains an exchange of warnings. It is not a tariff already applied.

Image: N509FZ, Ministry of Commerce, Beijing, 27 May 2021, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; the building, not a photograph of the October 2026 communique.

Sources consulted: China threatens countermeasures if Britain imposes tariffs on Chinese electric cars - G4Media; MOFCOM spokesperson on reported UK measures on Chinese EVs - MOFCOM, 19 October 2026.