---
title: "Burnham told by Brussels to raise tariffs on Chinese cars"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/burnham-told-by-brussels-to-raise-tariffs-on-chinese-cars"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/burnham-told-by-brussels-to-raise-tariffs-on-chinese-cars"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/burnham-told-by-brussels-to-raise-tariffs-on-chinese-cars.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/burnham-told-by-brussels-to-raise-tariffs-on-chinese-cars"
category: "Politics"
area: "United Kingdom"
published: "2026-09-25T17:05:32.176Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-25T05:26:13.974Z"
updated: "2026-09-25T17:15:24.269Z"
trust_score: 56
critic_score: 70
hype_score: 15
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-25T18:45:28.794239+00:00"
---

# Burnham told by Brussels to raise tariffs on Chinese cars

*EU also suggests aligning trade policy and joining customs union to avoid barriers*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 56 of 100, higher is better. Trust 56: named official Andy Burnham and Brussels cited, but only secondary digests, no primary documents.
- Craft 70 of 100, higher is better. Critic 70: explains relevance, clear facts, suggests next steps, but essentially repeats a press announcement.
- Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15: language is measured and proportionate, no clickbait.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Brussels has asked Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase customs duties on Chinese cars.
- The EU also wants Britain to align its trade policy more closely with the European Union.
- Joining the EU customs union was suggested as a solution to avoid trade barriers.
- The Financial Times is attributed as the source for these reports.

Brussels has communicated to Prime Minister Andy Burnham that Britain should increase customs duties on Chinese cars. The European Union also indicated that Britain should align its trade policy more closely with the EU. This alignment, Brussels suggested, could help avoid trade barriers that might affect major British exports. As a potential solution, the EU proposed that Britain consider joining the EU customs union.

## Disagreement on potential consequences

Rador.ro reported that Brussels warned Britain must increase duties on Chinese cars and align its trade policy with the EU to avoid trade barriers of the kind ‘made in Europe, which would affect major British exports.' Portfolio stated that Brussels sent a clear message to London that if Britain wants to avoid the ‘Made in Europe' policy pushing its key export sectors out of the EU market, it must raise tariffs on Chinese imports and align itself more closely with EU trade policy.

## What the coverage left out

None of the centre or right-rated digests mention the specific wording of the potential trade barriers that could affect major British exports, as reported by Rador.ro. No left-rated outlet ran this story.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 20 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 11% (3)
- Centre: 42% (8)
- Right: 47% (9)

34 of 54 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-25T18:45:28.794239+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 10 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-25T19:30:19.027Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The Novinky.cz report stated that the EU urged the UK to increase tariffs on Chinese cars and align trade policy to avoid barriers to British exports under the Made in Europe rules. The EU suggested joining the EU's customs union as the best solution.
- The Irish Times digest reported that London had lobbied for equal treatment for British products but ruled out a customs union. Both outlets noted the UK's exclusion from the Made in Europe rules could harm its car industry.
- Novinky.cz detailed that the Made in Europe policy aims to reduce reliance on Chinese components by favouring EU-made goods when public money is spent. The report also mentioned the UK's decision not to follow the EU in imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024.

### Centre

- The centre-rated reports led on the EU's request for Britain to increase tariffs on Chinese cars. They highlighted the suggestion that Britain align its trade policy with the EU to avoid potential barriers. Both Portfolio and The Economic Times mentioned the EU's proposal for Britain to consider joining the customs union as a solution. The Economic Times and Times of India digests attributed the story to the Financial Times.

### Right

- The right-rated report led on the EU's call for Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese cars, citing the Financial Times. It also noted the EU's indication that aligning trade policy could mitigate potential barriers and mentioned the suggestion for London to consider joining the EU customs union.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 3
- high: 11
- unknown: 34
- veryHigh: 5

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Gazeta Shqiptare Online](https://gazetashqiptare.al/2026/09/25/be-i-kerkon-britanise-tarifa-me-te-larta-per-makinat-kineze-per-te-shmangur-kufizimet-tregtare) — EU Asks Britain to Impose Higher Tariffs on Chinese Cars to Avoid Trade Restrictions
- [Taipei Times](https://taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2026/09/26/2003864902) — EU urges Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese vehicles
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/europe/eu-presses-uk-to-raise-tariffs-on-chinese-cars-to-prevent-made-in-europe-barriers/4069520) — EU Presses UK to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Cars to Prevent ‘Made in Europe’ Barriers
- [negocios.com](https://negocios.com/articulo/geopolitica/gran-miedo-europa-puerta-trasera-china-que-trastoca-mapa-automovilistico/20260925171851494482.html) — THE GREAT FEAR OF EUROPE: The Chinese “Back Door” that Disrupts the Car Map
- [alborsaanews.com](https://alborsaanews.com/2026/09/25/1995012) — The European Union Is Pressuring Britain to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Cars.
- [Brussels Morning Online Newspaper](https://brusselsmorning.com/eu-urges-uk-to-hike-chinese-ev-tariffs/103974) — EU Pressures UK to Raise Chinese EV Tariffs to Avoid Risks
- [razaoautomovel.com](https://razaoautomovel.com/noticias/ue-pressao-reino-unido-tarifas-carros-chineses-made-in-europa) — European Union Wants UK to Increase Tariffs on Chinese Cars
- [online-listing.com](https://online-listing.com/news/blogger/2026/09/25/eu-urges-britain-to-raise-tariffs-on-chinese-cars-says-ft/happenings) — EU urges Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese cars, says FT
- [EVpowered](https://evpowered.co.uk/news/eu-tells-uk-to-raise-tariffs-on-chinese-cars-to-avoid-made-in-europe-barriers) — EU 'tells UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars' to avoid made-in-Europe barriers
- [Globo](https://valor.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2026/09/25/ue-pressiona-reino-unido-a-elevar-tarifas-sobre-carros-da-china-diz-jornal.ghtml) — EU Pushes UK to Raise Tariffs on China's Cars, Says Newspaper
- [LB.ua](https://en.lb.ua/news/2026/09/25/43008_ft_uk_may_choose_between_eu.html) — FT: UK May Have to Choose Between the EU and China on Trade Policy
- [frognews.bg](https://frognews.bg/novini/mitata-kitaiskite-avtomobili-vdigat-naprejenieto-mejdu-briuksel-london.html) — Tariffs on Chinese Cars Raise Tensions Between Brussels...
- [Stirile Antena 1 Observator](https://observatornews.ro/economic/ue-se-teme-ca-marea-britanie-va-deveni-coridor-pentru-masinile-chinezesti-bruxellesul-cere-taxe-mai-mari-667239.html) — The EU Fears that Britain Will Become "Corridor" for Chinese Cars. Brussels Is Demanding Higher Taxes
- [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/empresas/ue-insta-reino-unido-aumentar-aranceles-autos-chinos-alinearse-made-in-europe-20260925-835313.html) — EU Urges UK to Increase Tariffs on Chinese Cars and Align with "Made in Europe"
- [wiwo.de](https://wiwo.de/unternehmen/auto/streit-um-autozoelle-wie-china-von-der-uneinigkeit-in-europa-profitiert/100257439.html) — Dispute over Car Tariffs: How China Benefits From Disunity in Europe
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/09/25/2619480.html) — The EU is calling on the UK to align its trade policy more closely with the bloc's course in order to avoid barriers to products labeled Made in Europe, the Financial Times writes
- [sigmalive.com](https://sigmalive.com/news/international/1330861/e-pros-bretania-auksiste-toys-dasmous-sta-kinezika-autokinita) — EU to Britain: Increase Tariffs on Chinese Cars
- [WTX News](https://wtxnews.com/eu-urges-uk-to-increase-tariffs-on-chinese-cars-amid-trade-tensions) — EU urges UK to increase tariffs on Chinese cars amid trade tensions.
- [IOL Portugal](https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/reino-unido/tarifas/ue-pressiona-reino-unido-a-subir-tarifas-sobre-carros-chineses-para-proteger-industria-europeia/20260925/6ab64240d34e9a786e759921) — EU Pushes UK to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Cars to Protect European Industry
- [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2026/09/ue-pressiona-reino-unido-a-aumentar-tarifas-sobre-produtos-da-china-e-evitar-isolamento.shtml) — EU Pushes UK to Increase Tariffs on Chinese Products and Avoid Isolation - 25/09/2026
- [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/ue/ue-ii-cere-marii-britanii-sa-creasca-taxele-vamale-pentru-masinile-din-china-solutia-propusa-de-bruxelles-uniunea-vamala-3964149) — The EU Calls on Britain to Increase Customs Duties on Cars in China. Brussels Proposed Solution: Customs Union
- [caleaeuropeana.ro](https://caleaeuropeana.ro/ue-cere-regatului-unit-sa-majoreze-taxele-pentru-masinile-chinezesti-pentru-a-evita-barierele-de-reglementare-made-in-europe-ft) — EU Calls on the United Kingdom to Increase Taxes on Chinese Cars to Avoid Regulatory Barriers ‘Made in Europe' (FT)
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/china/eu-urges-britain-raise-tariffs-chinese-cars-ft-says-2026-09-25) — EU urges Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese cars, FT says
- [Financial Intelligence](https://financialintelligence.ro/uniunea-europeana-cere-marii-britanii-sa-majoreze-taxele-vamale-impuse-masinilor-din-china-ft) — European Union Calls on Great Britain to Increase Customs Duties on Cars in China (FT)
- [CNN Greece](https://cnn.gr/kosmos/story/554013/ee-pros-vretania-pieseis-gia-dasmoys-sta-kinezika-aftokinita-me-fonto-to-made-in-europe) — EU to Britain: Pressure for Tariffs on Chinese Cars Against the Backdrop of "Made in Europe"
- [大纪元 Epoch Times](https://epochtimes.com/b5/26/9/25/n14857202.htm) — The UK May Become a Backdoor for Chinese Cars; the EU Urges Higher Tariffs.
- [The Press Project](https://thepressproject.gr/ft-i-ee-piezei-to-inomeno-vasileio-gia-ypsiloterous-dasmous-sta-kinezika-aftokinita) — FT: EU Presses UK for Higher Tariffs on Chinese Cars - The Press Project - News, Analysis, Radio, Television
- [Novinky.cz](https://novinky.cz/clanek/auto-eu-naleha-na-britanii-aby-zvysila-cla-na-dovoz-aut-z-ciny-40599513) — EU Urges Britain to Raise Tariffs on Car Imports From China
- [GB News](https://gbnews.com/lifestyle/cars/uk-tariffs-chinese-cars-european-union) — UK urged to raise tariffs on popular Chinese cars by European Union, report claims
- [quatrostrategies.ca](https://quatrostrategies.ca/eu-is-linking-british-industrial-access-to-closer-alignment-on-china) — EU is linking British industrial access to closer alignment on China
- [antena3.ro](https://antena3.ro/externe/ft-uniunea-europeana-cere-marii-britanii-sa-majoreze-taxele-vamale-impuse-masinilor-din-china-804585.html) — FT: European Union Calls on Great Britain to Increase Customs Duties on Cars in China
- [Die Presse](https://diepresse.com/41295414/eu-fordert-von-grossbritannien-hoehere-zoelle-auf-chinesische-autos) — EU Calls on Great Britain to Impose Higher Tariffs on Chinese Cars
- [CursDeGuvernare.ro](https://cursdeguvernare.ro/ue-cere-uk-majoreze-taxele-vamale-pentru-vehiculele-din-china.html) — EU Calls on Britain to Increase Customs Duties on Vehicles in China
- [Oil Price](https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/EU-Pressures-UK-to-Match-Its-Tariffs-on-Chinese-Made-Cars.html) — EU Pressures UK to Match Its Tariffs on Chinese-Made Cars
- [Automotive News](https://autonews.com/regulation-safety/ane-uk-eu-chinese-tariffs-0925) — EU urges Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese cars to avoid ‘Made in Europe’ exclusion, report says
- [asiae.co.kr](https://asiae.co.kr/article/2026092516245470294) — EU Urges UK to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Cars
- [Seeking Alpha](https://seekingalpha.com/news/4646970-eu-presses-uk-to-align-chinese-car-tariffs-with-bloc---report) — EU presses UK to align Chinese car tariffs with bloc - report (FXB:NYSEARCA)
- [연합뉴스-Yonhap News Agency](https://yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260925034000009) — "EU Urges UK to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Cars"... Pressure on China Intensifies
- [www.economica.net](https://economica.net/uniunea-europeana-cere-marii-britanii-sa-majoreze-taxele-vamale-impuse-masinilor-din-china-ft_979765.html) — European Union Calls on Great Britain to Increase Customs Duties on Cars in China (FT)
- [Dagens industri](https://di.se/live/eu-pressar-storbritannien-att-hoja-tullar-pa-kinabilar) — EU Pressures Britain to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Cars
- [sofokleousin.gr](https://sofokleousin.gr/epikairotita/diethni/ee-pros-vretania-aitima-gia-ypsiloterous-dasmous-sta-kinezika-ayt) — EU to Britain: Request for Higher Tariffs on Chinese Cars
- [Irish Times](https://irishtimes.com/business/2026/09/25/eu-urges-uk-to-raise-tariffs-on-chinese-cars-to-avoid-made-in-europe-barriers) — EU urges UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars to avoid ‘made in Europe’ barriers
- [ERT NEWS](https://ertnews.gr/eidiseis/oikonomia/financial-times-i-ee-piezei-to-inomeno-vasileio-na-ayksisei-tous-dasmous-sta-kinezika-aytokinita) — Financial Times: EU Pressures UK to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Cars
- [Mediafax](https://mediafax.ro/externe/ue-cere-marii-britanii-sa-majoreze-tarifele-pentru-masinile-chinezesti-bruxelles-ul-invoca-riscul-unor-bariere-comerciale-23813768) — The EU Calls on Britain to Increase Tariffs for Chinese Cars. Brussels Invokes the Risk of Trade Barriers
- [Devdiscourse](https://devdiscourse.com/article/international/3982187-eu-urges-britain-to-raise-tariffs-on-chinese-cars-ft-reports) — EU urges Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese cars, FT reports
- [RTÉ](https://rte.ie/news/business/2026/0925/1592903-eu-urges-britain-to-raise-tariffs-on-chinese-cars-ft-says) — EU urges Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese cars,
- [Hospodárske Noviny](https://hnonline.sk/finweb/zahranicna-ekonomika/96304212-europska-unia-nalieha-na-velku-britaniu-aby-zvysila-cla-na-dovoz-aut-z-ciny-pise-financial-times) — The European Union Is Urging Britain to Raise Tariffs on Car Imports From China, Writes the Financial Times.
- [Capital.gr](https://capital.gr/diethni/4019392/ft-oi-bruxelles-zitoun-apo-ti-bretania-upsiloterous-dasmous-sta-kinezika-autokinita) — FT: Brussels Asks Britain to Impose Higher Tariffs on Chinese Cars
- [Handelsblatt](https://handelsblatt.com/politik/international/handel-eu-fordert-von-grossbritannien-offenbar-hoehere-zoelle-auf-chinesische-autos/100257344.html) — Trade: EU Apparently Demands Higher Tariffs on Chinese Cars From Britain
- [اقتصاد سكاي نيوز عربية](https://snabusiness.com/article/1894339-%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AB-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9) — Europe Urges Britain to Raise Fees on Chinese Cars.
- [rador.ro](https://rador.ro/2026/09/25/ue-a-cerut-marii-britanii-sa-majoreze-taxele-vamale-pentru-masinile-chinezesti-financial-times) — The EU Has Asked Britain to Increase Customs Duties on Chinese Cars (Financial Times)
- [Portfolio](https://portfolio.hu/global/20260925/hatso-kapuva-valhat-nagy-britannia-brusszel-mar-a-vamuniot-emlegeti-865122) — Britain Could Become a Back Door – Brussels Is Already Talking About a Customs Union
- [The Economic Times](https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/uk-eu-trade-britain-tariffs-chinese-cars-made-in-europe-customs-union/articleshow/134475446.cms) — EU urges Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese cars, FT reports
- [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/uk-eu-trade-britain-tariffs-chinese-cars-made-in-europe-customs-union/articleshow/134475446.cms) — EU urges Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese cars, FT reports

## Questions

**What has Brussels asked Prime Minister Andy Burnham to do?**

Brussels has asked Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase customs duties on Chinese cars. The EU also wants Britain to align its trade policy more closely with the European Union and suggested joining the EU customs union as a solution to avoid potential trade barriers.

**Why is the EU asking Britain to change its trade policy?**

The EU is asking Britain to change its trade policy to avoid potential trade barriers that could affect major British exports. By aligning with EU policy and increasing tariffs on Chinese cars, Britain could mitigate these risks.

**Which news outlet is cited as the source for this story?**

The Financial Times is cited as the source for these reports. The digests from The Economic Times and Times of India specifically attribute the information to the Financial Times.

---

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