Norway is not part of the European Union's trade policy in terms of imposing tariffs on Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs) because tariffs often trigger retaliation and will benefit no one, said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in an interview with China Media Group on Tuesday.
In an interview on a high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai, Store said Norwegian consumers should have access to all cars they wish to buy.
In the coming weeks, the EU countries are going to decide whether to impose additional tariffs on Chinese NEVs and Norway has decided not to join EU in doing that.
Store explained the rationale behind the Norwegian government's decision.
"Norway is not a member of the European Union, but we are closely associated with an agreement with the European market. So, we are not part of the European Union's trade policy. That's one reason why we are not part of this. Secondly, I think in general, one should not wish to have any of these kinds of tariffs because they are punitive tariffs, and they often trigger retaliation, and we all stand back losing from it. We don't produce cars. We are not part of this trade policy. And I don't want to put an extra burden on Norwegian consumers. They should have access to cars that they wish to buy," said Store.
He noted that electric cars now account for about 90 percent of all new cars sold in Norway.
The prime minister paid an official visit to China from Sept. 9 to 11, during which Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and top legislator Zhao Leji met with him respectively in Beijing.
PM Store on Norway not joining EU in EV tariffs
PM Store on Norway not joining EU in EV tariffs
PM Store on Norway not joining EU in EV tariffs
