A European Union (EU) official has said that it’s unlikely that talks with the Chinese government on imposing minimum sales price stipulations in place of tariffs will come to fruition this month, following recently passed tariffs on electric vehicle (EV) imports from the country.
Earlier this month, the European Commission passed a proposal to impose an additional 35.3 percent tariff on some EVs made in China, along with the 10-percent import tariff that’s currently in place. Prior to the proposal’s passing, EU officials shared concerns that negotiations may continue even after the tariffs passed, especially as officials in Beijing push for a minimum import price that would avert some of the extra tariffs.
On Monday, a senior EU official told Reuters that it would be “very difficult to reach an agreement” this month, due to the extreme complexity of price minimum stipulations in the negotiations.
“I won’t exclude it, but it seems very, very difficult to reach an agreement by the end of October, because (of)… the very complex, difficult issues to solve,” said the official, who remained anonymous in the report.
Tesla is receiving additional import tariffs as low as 7.8 percent under the newly passed proposal, while SAIC and others are receiving the maximum 35.3 percent tariff.
Issues with the variety of different vehicles suggest that one particular minimum price point wouldn’t work as intended, according to the official. If passed, it would need to be determined separately for different companies, based on how valuable their sales were and how many subsidies they receive.
The official also went on to say that reaching such an agreement would be challenging, given that price undertakings with a minimum price stipulation had been particularly bad for homogenous commodities, compared to those with many different sales channels. He also says that the Commission has been offered several minimum price proposals from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, requesting that a number of EV makers be covered.
However, the EU official maintained that past minimum price efforts waged by China were not positive. For example, the official notes that the Commission passed a minimum price stipulation to replace tariffs on Chinese solar panels ten years ago, though China now has a 90-percent share of the bloc’s PV market.
“It needs to be fully enforceable, and it needs to be monitored very, very closely, and the risk of circumventing undertakings need to be reduced significantly,” the official added.
The Commission reportedly rejected a minimum price stipulation of 30,000 euros ($32,946) earlier this month, according to another report from Reuters that cited three sources familiar with the matter.
The EU is the latest to enact increased tariffs on Chinese EVs and components related to their production. Earlier this year, the U.S. passed a 100-percent tariff on Chinese EV imports, along with a 25-percent tariff on EV battery materials. Canada also launched similar tariffs on Chinese EV imports earlier this month, set to take effect next week.
Volvo seeks better deal for EU tariffs on EV imports from China
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Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.
Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk.
During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.
Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.
The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run.
Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually.
Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.
Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.
Elon Musk
Tesla Giga Berlin growth could stall if not “free from external influences”: Elon Musk
The comments were delivered in a pre-recorded video discussion.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has reportedly warned that future expansion of Gigafactory Berlin could be jeopardized if the site does not remain “free from external influences.”
Musk’s comments were delivered in a pre-recorded video discussion with employees and came at a sensitive moment for the facility, where union representation has been a recurring issue.
According to reports from Handelsblatt and Der Spiegel, citing participants at the event, Musk suggested that if Giga Berlin is no longer “free from external influences,” further expansion would become unlikely. He did not, however, hint that the plant would shut down.
While Musk did not name IG Metall directly, his remarks were widely interpreted as referencing the union, which is currently the largest faction on the works council but does not hold a majority, as noted in an electrive report.
The video conversation was conducted between Musk in Austin and Grünheide plant manager André Thierig, then played back to the workforce in Germany. Works council elections are scheduled for early March, heightening the tension between management and organized labor.
The CEO has previously voiced concerns that stronger union influence could limit Tesla’s operational flexibility and long-term strategy in Germany.
Despite the warning on expansion, Musk praised the Giga Berlin site during the same address, describing it as one of the most advanced factories worldwide and highlighting its cleanliness and team culture.
The discussion also reportedly touched on battery cell production. According to attendees cited in German media, Musk indicated that Tesla has begun ramping cell production at the site. That would mark a notable shift from earlier expectations that large-scale cell manufacturing in Brandenburg would not begin until 2027.
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
