The EU's decision to impose far higher tariffs on imported Chinese EVs seeks to safeguard European automakers — but could prompt Beijing to retaliate.

The European Commission, which had provisionally approved the tariffs in June, can now impose them for five years starting end of the October.

IG Metall, the powerful German labour union, and employee representatives of the nation's major carmakers said in a statement on Thursday that Germany should vote against the introduction of European Union tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.