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Added on the 05/12/2018 15:10:13 - Copyright : BANG Showbiz
The European Union announces extra provisional duties of up to 38 percent on Chinese electric car imports. German automobile giant Volkswagen describes the move as "detrimental" to the European market, while Beijing warns it could spark a trade war. "It is a means to correct an imbalanced and unfair competitive situation," says Eric Mamer, chief spokesperson for the European Commission. SOUNDBITE
The European Commission proposes a three-year delay on tariffs on electric vehicles that are sold to, or imported from, Britain that was due to apply from January. The commission, the EU's executive arm, says it decided a one-off extension after the automotive industry raised concerns about the massive costs that would arise from a post-Brexit 10-percent tariff. Maros Sefcovic, EU Commission Vice President, calls the proposal "balanced and forward-looking" which "supports the competitiveness of our industry and protect jobs in the European Union" SOUNDBITE
Members of the civil protection and security forces gather in eastern France near Strasbourg to find a 15-year-old girl who went missing near Saint-Blaise-la-Roche on Saturday. IMAGES
"Global markets are now flooded with cheaper Chinese electric cars" says European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, "and their price is kept artificially low by huge state subsidies". The comments -- made to the European Parliament in Strasbourg -- come as Brussels announces it will investigate Chinese state subsidies for electric vehicles in order to protect the European market from "distortion." SOUNDBITE
A Moscow court throws out jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's appeal against a nine-year prison sentence that he and his allies condemn as politically motivated. Moscow City Court ruled to "leave the sentence without changes" and for it to enter into force immediately, meaning that Navalny will be transferred to a strict regime prison colony to serve out his term, after he was found guilty in March of embezzlement and contempt of court. IMAGES