EU backing for China EV tariffs shows Berlin's waning influence

Zach Meyers, assistant director of the Centre for European Reform, said the tariff dispute illustrated Germany no longer led EU trade policy and that the influence of France too was more limited after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen removed French commissioner Thierry Breton and gave a less influential role to his successor. While seeking to be closer to the United States and de-risk from China, the EV case suggested that, without firm Franco-German guidance, she could only proceed sector-by-sector and follow international trade rules to ensure EU support.