China Takes Legal Action Against EU Over Electric Vehicle Tariff Hike

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 5, 2024

China has launched a legal dispute against the European Union (EU) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in response to the EU’s decision to raise import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). The case comes on the heels of an EU investigation that concluded Chinese carmakers benefit from state subsidies, giving them an unfair edge in the European market.

Key Details:

WTO Complaint: China’s filing marks its second WTO challenge over higher tariffs, with the complaint aiming to address the EU’s determination that Chinese EV manufacturers benefit from unfair government support.
Impact on Chinese Car Makers: The new EU tariffs range from 17% for BYD, 18.8% for Geely (Volvo’s parent company), to a significant 35.3% for SAIC Motor Corp, making it one of the most heavily affected companies.
WTO Dispute Timeline: Under WTO dispute settlement rules, China and the EU have 60 days to negotiate a resolution. If unresolved, the case may proceed to a WTO panel ruling. However, the WTO’s highest appellate body remains inactive due to a shortage of judges, potentially complicating the resolution process.

The heightened tariffs, which took effect on November 1, reflect growing trade friction between Brussels and Beijing. EU officials argue that China’s subsidies and access to inexpensive raw materials have granted Chinese EV companies excessive leverage over European competitors. In response, Brussels is exploring solutions, such as adjusting price commitments, to address these market imbalances while upholding WTO principles.

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Negotiations between the EU and Chinese officials are expected to intensify in the coming weeks, with an EU delegation likely to travel to China to pursue a compromise. Both sides aim to foster fair market conditions while respecting WTO guidelines.

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Cyprus’ Poverty And Social Exclusion Risk Stands At 17.1%

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 20, 2026

Cyprus recorded a poverty or social exclusion risk rate of 17.1% in 2025, below the European Union average of 20.9%, according to new Eurostat figures. Across the bloc, however, more than 92 million people continued to face the risk, highlighting persistent social and economic inequalities.

More Than 92 Million People At Risk Across The EU

A total of 92.7 million people across the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, equivalent to just over one in five residents.

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Cyprus is treated as a single statistical region because of its size, unlike many member states divided into multiple regions for comparison. Its national figure therefore provides an overall picture but does not capture differences between districts or communities.

Regional Gaps Remain Stark Across Europe

The risk varied considerably across the EU, with the highest rates concentrated largely in southern, eastern and outermost regions. In 24 of the 243 regions with available data, at least 31.5% of the population faced poverty or social exclusion.

These regions were located in Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, France and Romania, as well as Brussels in Belgium and Bremen in north-western Germany.

French Guiana recorded the highest rate, at 54.8%, followed by Calabria in southern Italy at 45.3% and Sicily at 44%. Melilla, a Spanish autonomous city, recorded 43.7%, while Réunion, another French outermost region, stood at 42.3%.

Central Europe Records The Lowest Rates

At the other end of the scale, 24 regions reported poverty or social exclusion risk rates below 13% in 2025. These included five eastern EU capital regions: Bratislava in Slovakia, Warsaw in Poland, Prague in the Czech Republic, Budapest in Hungary and Zagreb in Croatia.

Other regions with low rates were concentrated in northern Italy, the Czech Republic, northern Belgium, Hungary, Poland and Austria, illustrating the uneven distribution of economic security across Europe.

Cyprus Remains Below The EU Average

Cyprus’ rate of 17.1% places it below the EU average, although it remains higher than the levels recorded in the bloc’s lowest-risk regions.

The figures suggest that Cyprus performs relatively well compared with the wider EU, but poverty and social exclusion remain significant challenges across the bloc, affecting more than 92 million people.

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