Volvo is moving EV production from China to Belgium as the EU eyes tariffs on Beijing

Volvo Car AB has started to shift manufacturing of Chinese-made electric vehicles to Belgium as the European Union prepares to impose tariffs on China-made EVs, the Times reported. On top of transferring production of Volvo's EX30 and EX90 models to Belgium, the carmaker may also move assembly of some Volvo models bound for the UK, the report said, citing unidentified people. Trade frictions between the EU and China have led to a barrage of anti-dumping probes against Beijing amid allegations of unfair subsidies. The EU is expected to tell EV makers in China as early as this week on whether it will impose provisional tariffs from July 4 that would boost import duties above the current level of 10%. Volvo Car denied the Times' report, saying "It's premature to speculate on the implications of what this investigation will conclude, or any potential measures." China last week accused the EU of working to "Suppress" Chinese companies and said it will take action to safeguard its interests. The accusations of unfair competition against China are completely unfounded, Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday, citing earlier comments from Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. In a separate dispute, Chinese dairy companies are preparing to ask Beijing to open an anti-dumping investigation against imports from the EU, the Global Times reported yesterday, without providing details.