I‘m sure it’s not as simple, but my first take on this was: Europe doesn’t invest in EVs, but China does. They start to loose the Chinese market and are about to loose their own market to China as well. Then politics steps in to "rescue" their own companies but all that does is shelter them from the pressure to adapt and evolve, and in the end they’re beyond hope and left in the dust while the advanced Chinese cars dominate everything.

Countering subsidies with import taxes is a different story ofc. But it certainly feels like the European car industry is in decline and it’s probably their own fault. If not in Europe most certainly in China.

I should add that I have no idea what I’m talking about here, so feel free to tell me where I’m wrong.

TL;DR: The European Commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicle makers, potentially leading to higher import duties. This move aims to protect Europe's auto industry and address concerns of dependency on China. If Chinese EVs are found to have an unfair advantage due to subsidies, it could impact their growth in Europe and lead to retaliatory measures. The investigation reflects growing geopolitical tensions and could influence the global EV market. (via ChatGPT)

Sure do this. But maybe at the same time see where these western manufacturers are profiting excessively and get that under control too because these electric cars are too damn expensive. At least here in the US they are.

China subsidizes EV production, and EU companies struggle to keep up. Now EU politics wants to make Chinese EVs more expensive?

In face of climate change, I can think of two more favorable solutions:

1. Subsidize your own EV production. No one should be willing to buy an ICE anymore, anyways.
2. Invest in public transit, bike infrastructure, cargo bikes. No one (except rural folks) should be dependent on owning a car, anyways.

Why not require the Chinese car brands to start 49:51 joint ventures with European firms if they want access to the European market. It would be reciprocal to the burdens placed on European firms in the Chinese market, or not?

This article is very biased.
Chinese cars are in no way a threat to Volkswagen and especially not a life or death situation.
They are cheap and they are many. That's it. Tesla and other carmakers did EVs slow and steady and china subsidized like hell and is trying to flood markets.
Just like every other easy to build technology. Find thing, make thing flood market with cheap versions and less cost.

How about we let the chinese sell their EVs here?

I'm sorry, but by limiting my access to good, cheap EVs you're not going to win my vote.

I do not care about BMW, or Volkswagen, or some other European company producing really expensive, shitty EVs just so that we keep buying combustion engine cars, so that they can force us to keep using fossil fuels and buy their shitty expensive spare parts that always break (parts which EVs generally don't have).

I'm sorry, but my biggest worry right now is climate change, not keeping a couple of europe's billionaires pockets stuffed with money. I truly do not care one bit about the billionaires that own the companies mentioned above. The european consumer should have access to a cheap alternative to combustion engine cars. This move exists only to protect the interests of the rich.

For all my life I've been hearing stories about how competition under capitalism breeds innovation. Yet when true competition appears, suddenly we start throwing the book at it. So am I supposed to buy an overpriced electric vehicle made in Europe just because our billionaires don't see a reason yet to invest in EVs? Let them fight. Let competition come over here. Let's see what this business is all about.