Germany is attempting to block the European Union’s new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles amid concerns that retaliation by Beijing could hurt its car industry. Government officials are said to be lobbying Brussels to either soften or block the new tariffs,

French cognac producers are "deeply" worried about the results of a Chinese probe into European cognac imports, a trade body said on Wednesday, after the European Commission imposed tariffs on imports of Chinese electric vehicles.

Beijing hopes the European Union will reconsider tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and stop going further in the "wrong direction" to shield its auto industry from competition, according to state news agency Xinhua.

The European Union is poised to hit cheap Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) with extra import tariffs of 25pc, raising the prospect of a trade war with Beijing. Brussels is gearing up to announce the measures today following an eight-month investigation into the issue,

Also in today’s newsletter, rising tensions in the South China Sea, and US central bank signals one cut this year

Beijing hopes the European Union will reconsider tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and stop going further in the "wrong direction" to shield its auto industry from competition, according to official state news agency Xinhua.

The European Union needs more and cheaper electric vehicles. Brussels’ decision to impose new tariffs on Chinese-made models will keep prices higher for longer, and act as a deterrent to sales.

The move triggering duties of more than €2bn a year and a potential trade war with China

Tesla Inc. has asked the European Union to subject its electric vehicles to a lower tariff rate than other manufacturers shipping cars into the bloc from China, arguing that it’s benefitted from less substantial state support.