(Yicai) June 26 -- The advance of electric vehicles is inexorable, the chairman of a Chinese association for scientists said in response to the United States and European Union imposing higher tariffs on imports of China-made EVs.

The course of EV development should not be slowed because of some twists and turns in the middle, Wan Gang of the China Association for Science and Technology said today at a World Economic Forum meeting in the Chinese city of Dalian. China will likely produce more than 10 million EVs this year, he noted.

The Chinese market has internationalized, he noted, adding that there is no consensus on setting up trade barriers, with many EU countries also expressing their opposition.

Two weeks ago, the European Union’s executive body announced additional tariffs of as much as 38 percent on electric cars brought in from China, which are due to kick in on July 4. Concerned that China may bring in countermeasures, Germany, Hungary, and Sweden oppose the move. In May, the US increased its tariff on Chinese EVs from 25 percent to 100 percent.

Overseas markets have been surprised, alarmed even, by the entry of Chinese electric cars is because trade and investment are not yet integrated, Wan pointed out. He suggested that new energy companies can start to consider investing in Europe. By investing there, Chinese firms can enter the local industrial chain and expand the globalization process, he added.

Despite geopolitical headwinds, the governments involved should negotiate on the path of global economic development, Wang said. 

The World Economic Forum's 15th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, runs from xxx to xxx.

Editor: Martin Kadiev