EU prepares tariffs on Chinese plug-in hybrids, Handelsblatt reports

June 19 (Reuters) - The European Commission plans to impose countervailing duties on Chinese hybrid cars, Handelsblatt reported on Friday, citing high-ranking EU officials and industry sources.

According to the paper, three people involved said that preparations had been made so that the European Commission could impose tariffs as soon as a majority of EU member states give their approval.

The European Commission declined to comment on the report.

On Thursday, European Union leaders debated new and tougher measures that could be needed to curb the bloc's growing trade deficit with China and its heavy reliance on the world's second-largest economy for rare earths and other critical supplies.

Handelsblatt said the aim of the Commission is to impose additional countervailing duties on vehicles from Chinese manufacturers such as BYD, Chery and SAIC.

The bloc has imposed duties on imported electric vehicles made in China since 2024.

(Reporting by Makini Brice and Linda Pasquini, Editing by Friederike Heine)