STORY: UK auto leader urges avoiding "trade war" over China EV tariffs
SHOOTING TIME: June 25, 2024
DATELINE: July 4, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:16
LOCATION: London
CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the UK
2. various of China's EV industry
3. SOUNDBITE (English): MIKE HAWES, Chief executive of the United Kingdom (UK) Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

STORYLINE:

Amid European Union (EU) and United States tariff hikes on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), a British auto industry leader has urged against any increase in trade barriers.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the United Kingdom (UK) Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), told Xinhua that his industry wants an open market.

SOUNDBITE (English): MIKE HAWES, Chief executive of the United Kingdom (UK) Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
"Nobody does (want a trade war). We don't want to see any sort of tit-for-tat action, retaliation. We want an open market. We want the trade as long as it's free and fair. The UK is a very open market. We have a number of Chinese brands that are now here. They're providing choice for consumers. That's a good thing. They're providing competition. That's a good thing because it drives down costs and stimulates innovation. And as long as that competition is fair, then everyone is a winner. I think the industry as a whole doesn't want to see any rise in trade barriers between any global markets because we are a global industry."
     
SMMT data showed that about 16-17 percent of new cars sold in the UK so far this year were EVs. This is below the UK government's mandate requiring each brand to ensure that 22 percent of their new vehicle sales this year are zero-emission.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from London.
(XHTV)