No 10 leaves the door open to Chinese EV tariffs as the price of joining Brussels' 'Made in Europe' scheme

A Franco-German plan would make Britain 'dynamically align' with EU trade defence rules, including the tariffs Brussels put on Chinese EVs in 2024. France has dropped its opposition to a UK role. China's London embassy called any such step 'discriminatory' and raised 'serious concern'. Jonathan Reynolds said this week he would not be coerced into following EU policy.

Ministers fear billions in car-industry trade could vanish if Britain is shut out.

Tariffs could make electric cars pricier and put Britain's EV targets at risk.

Chinese carmaker BYD saw sales jump 78% year on year in September.