China EV maker’s tepid reply to EU proves costly

Skills shortage: A Sinopec Corp EV charging station is seen in Shanghai. Chinese EV makers are not displaying the same prowess as in sales when it comes to intangible influence that powerful companies usually wield. — Bloomberg

SHANGHAI: SAIC Motor Corp’s harsh treatment by European Union (EU) negotiators is becoming a cautionary tale of Chinese companies being ill-equipped to operate in Western business and political domains.

Of the three Chinese automakers singled out by the EU, SAIC has been subjected to an extra 36.3% tariff on the electric vehicles (EVs) it sells in Europe.