Trump not only wants China to be ‘rolled back’, but also wants UK consumers to pay the price for it.
Can the British survive without cheap EVs from the East?
Under the new trade agreement, security and economic policy adjustments between the two countries have been made that urge the UK to follow Washington’s lead in banning the sale of Chinese-made EVs.
This ban, according to US President Donald Trump, is based on national security grounds — specifically concerns about the risk of espionage and remote control by interested parties in Beijing and has been implemented by the US itself.
If this proposal is accepted by the UK, Chinese brands such as BYD, MG, Geely, Ora, Polestar and XPENG will be removed from the UK market, creating a dilemma of whether to comply with US pressure or risk damaging trade relations.
Data shows that Chinese-made EVs are up to 34% cheaper than global competitors and their popularity is also soaring.
Therefore, any EV-related ban has the potential to raise market prices, reduce consumer choice and thwart the UK’s goal of accelerating the transition to electric vehicles by 2030.
Analysts and critics have described the US pressure as a form of interference that could threaten the UK’s trade policy sovereignty and the country’s climate change agenda.
But for some, the ban is seen as a firm step to curb security threats and unfair trade practices by China.
Is this a measure to defend security, or just an excuse to contain global competitors?
