BMW is engaged in talks with the European Commission over a potential minimum pricing framework that could stand in for the current EU tariffs applied to Mini electric vehicles built in China, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The discussions come in the wake of a separate arrangement struck earlier in February between Brussels and Volkswagen, which resulted in a tariff exemption for Volkswagen Group’s SEAT/Cupra brand on its battery-electric Tavascan SUV coupe after several months of negotiations. Observers say similar exemptions may be sought by other manufacturers, including Chinese carmakers with EVs destined for the European market.
Sources who spoke about the BMW talks described a proposal centered on a minimum import price as a possible alternative to the tariff regime. A BMW spokesperson declined to comment on the reported negotiations. The European Commission also did not provide an immediate comment when asked.
At the same time as these discussions, BMW is pursuing a legal route to contest the EU duties, joining other automakers in a court challenge. The duties were implemented at the end of October 2024 following an anti-subsidy investigation. For BMW, the tariff rate on the relevant China-made electric models is 20.7 percent.
The tariffs affect BMW models that are manufactured in China, notably the electric Mini Cooper and the electric Mini Aceman. While minimum import pricing would represent a different approach to addressing concerns that prompted the duties, the outcome of ongoing talks and the parallel legal challenge remain uncertain.
Context and next steps
The conversation between BMW and the Commission signals a willingness to explore mechanisms other than straight tariff application. How those negotiations proceed and whether similar arrangements will be extended to additional carmakers or models is not yet clear.
BMW's legal action continues independently of the discussions on potential pricing arrangements, leaving open multiple avenues by which the current tariff landscape could change.