The European Commission plans to impose countervailing duties on Chinese ?hybrid cars, Handelsblatt reported on Friday, ‌citing high-ranking EU officials and industry sources.

 

According to the paper, three people involved ?said that preparations had been ?made so that the European Commission ?could impose tariffs as soon ?as a majority of EU member ?states give their approval.

 

The European Commission declined to comment on the report.

 

On Thursday, European ?Union leaders debated new and tougher measures ?that could be needed to curb the ‌bloc's ?growing trade deficit with China and its heavy reliance on the world's second-largest economy for rare earths and ?other critical ?supplies.