Mission Impossible: Germany’s bid to kill EU duties on Chinese EVs – POLITICO

This is an explanatory story about how qualified majority voting works in the European Union. Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin.

The bloc decides by qualified majority on some important issues — and the rules are about to be put to the test when its 27 member countries hold a final vote to impose duties on imports of Chinese electric vehicles.

It’s a decision with far-reaching consequences for the European auto industry, which Brussels has ordered to phase out cars powered by diesel or gasoline by 2035. The protective tariffs, to compensate for Chinese subsidies to its fast-growing EV-makers, could buy time for the likes of VW or Stellantis to adapt.