EU sets cap on Chinese hybrid imports
EU to limit Chinese hybrid vehicle imports to 350,000 a year
Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Photo by Lilian Do Khac on Unsplash
Warm-up
- What do you think a quota is in trade?
- How could limits on imports affect local jobs?
- Would you buy a hybrid car made overseas? Why or why not?
Vocabulary
- quota
- An official limit on how much of something can be imported or sold.
- tariff
- A tax a government puts on goods coming from another country.
- customs
- The government service that checks and controls goods at borders and ports.
- market share
- The percentage of total sales held by a company or country in a market.
- safeguard
- A protective rule used to prevent sudden harm to an industry.
- deficit
- When a country buys more from another country than it sells to it.
- assemble
- To put parts together to make a finished product.
- dialogue
- Formal talks between groups or governments to solve issues.
Reading
Listen to this story
British EnglishThe European Commission will cap imports of Chinese hybrid electric cars at 350,000 a year under a new quota starting in December. The move aims to cut China’s market share in these vehicles from 6% to 3% over a four-year agreement reached in Beijing. It uses World Trade Organization safeguard measures, allowing the limit to be applied quickly. About 800,000 battery and plug-in hybrids are likely to be sold this year. Any cars imported above the quota will face no new tariff, but will be blocked in customs at European docks. Chinese vehicles made within the EU will be excluded, but EU brands that assemble cars in China will be covered. China’s exports of hybrids to the EU jumped to €6.7bn in the first half of this year, from €2.2bn a year earlier. As part of the deal, China will drop some tariffs on auto parts and halve duties on EU footwear, olive oil and ice-cream. Brussels says the policy responds to a £1bn‑a‑day trade deficit and fears of deindustrialisation. Further dialogue will continue on chemicals, renewable energy and furniture.
Comprehension
- What annual limit did the EU set for Chinese hybrid car imports?
- When will the new quota begin?
- What happens to cars imported above the quota level?
- Which Chinese-made cars are excluded from the quota?
- Why did Brussels say it introduced this policy?
Grammar focus
Future perfect continuous
Use will + have been + verb-ing to show how long an activity continues up to a future time. Common with BY + future time and often with FOR + duration. (Examples constructed.)
- By next summer, EU ports will have been blocking over‑quota cars.
- By the fourth year, Beijing and Brussels will have been negotiating details.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with the future perfect continuous form.
- By December, customs (prepare) ___ new dock checks for weeks.
- Before December, importers (adjust) ___ to the cap for months.
- By next summer, carmakers (shift) ___ production plans for months.
- By year four, buyers (compare) ___ EU and Chinese hybrids for years.
- By the next round, officials (discuss) ___ terms for months.
Discussion
- Is a quota better than a tariff in this case? Why?
- How might this quota change car prices where you live?
- Should the EU curb imports or push exports more?
- What other sectors might face limits if talks stall?
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