Chinese electric vehicle makers set to ‘crack open’ Western markets as trade barriers fall

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 2 min read 100% complete by Daniel RenJanuary 18, 2026 at 08:00 AM

AI Summary

short article 2 min

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers like BYD and Geely are poised to expand into Western markets due to recent policy changes in the EU and Canada. Canada will drop punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs, setting an import quota of 49,000 units, while maintaining a 6.1% tariff. The EU and China have agreed to replace tariffs with price undertaking agreements. These developments are expected to improve profit margins for Chinese EV makers and allow them to establish a stronger presence in these markets. Industry officials and analysts believe this is an opportunity for Chinese companies to focus on brand building and quality control to appeal to Western consumers and solidify their position as leaders in EV production and technology.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Hangzhou 40% Zhejiang province ×250% Qian Kang 50% Mark Carney 60% Geely 60% Beijing ×260% Canada ×270% BYD 70% European Union ×280% China ×490%

Keywords

electric vehicles 100% chinese evs 90% trade barriers 80% tariffs 70% western markets 70% market expansion 60% geely 50% european union 50% canada 50% byd 50%