China Threatens Countermeasures on UK EV Restrictions

China Threatens Countermeasures on UK EV Restrictions

On 19 October 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a statement warning that it will take countermeasures if the United Kingdom proceeds with restrictions on Chinese electric‑vehicle (EV) imports that mirror those introduced by the European Union. The ministry’s warning cited media reports that Britain’s trade minister had indicated the UK must align with the EU to jointly address China’s position in the auto industry. China called on the UK to comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and to reconsider any such action before implementation. The statement did not specify the nature of any possible countermeasures.