Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez visits China ahead of key EU vote on electric vehicle tariffs

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez begins a four-day visit to China today, ahead of a key vote by European Union members on whether to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

In the coming weeks, EU members must decide whether to approve a European Commission plan to place duties of up to 36.3 per cent on Chinese-made EVs for the next five years, to counter what Brussels says are unfair subsidies.

If approved, the measure must be written into law by October 30 to take effect the following day.

Spain previously backed the move in an advisory vote, along with Italy and France, while Germany, Finland and Sweden abstained.

China has responded by launching its own probes into European food and drink imports, including pork products.