Brussels is warning London that maintaining current duties on vehicles from China could create new obstacles for regional trade. The European Union has pressured the United Kingdom to increase tariffs on Chinese car imports to stop the emergence of "made in Europe" barriers, which could disrupt the movement of goods or allow manufacturers to bypass EU restrictions.

The call for aligned trade policies comes as the EU manages its own disputes with China over the influx of low-cost electric vehicles. By pushing for higher tariffs in the UK, the EU aims to prevent the United Kingdom from becoming a lower-cost gateway for Chinese automobiles entering the European market.