BRUSSELS - The European Union's punitive tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (EVs) are a mistake, which will do more harm than good, the Brussels-based economic think tank Bruegel said on Wednesday.
The European Commission announced Friday that it passed a vote to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs, sparking criticism from several European countries and auto industries who warn the move could boomerang against the EU's competitiveness.
ALSO READ: China says anti-dumping measures on EU brandy WTO compliant
Though the Commission said it had secured necessary support from member states, 12 EU members abstained from the vote and five voted against the decision.
The punitive tariffs "will harm EU citizens more than help them, and they will actually backfire on the European automotive industry," Bruegel said in a report.
READ MORE: China urges EU to return to right track of resolving trade disputes
The tariffs will insulate European producers from global competitive pressures and discourage them from developing integrated value chains with Chinese partners.
Furthermore, the tariffs represent another step toward the fragmentation of world trade, which will accrue economic costs and create uncertainties that will not spare the EU.
READ MORE: Wang: China, EU should enhance mutual trust, cooperation
Trade disputes also tend to have spill-over effects, and such disputes between the EU and China will strain the overall bilateral relations, the report said, noting that it's not too late for the EU to change its mind.