“The issue I think most people are concerned about … cost and competitiveness.
“We have very robust measures in this country, with a trade remedies regime which deals with not just the car industry but all markets, about making sure we have fair international trade, and that we don’t have dumping or unfair subsidy.
“So I think we have a good legal structure. That is the structure that will make sure that that competition is fair and that there’s a level playing field.”
The Transport Minister says he wants to see as many manufacturers as possible in the EV market.
He added: “The important thing is it’s a fair, competitive landscape.
“I know if the competition is fair, British manufacturers are absolutely at the table and we’ll be able to compete with anybody in the world both domestically, but also exporting technology around the world.”
Harper’s remarks are the first public acknowledgement by a minister that the UK could resort to trade tariffs if Chinese cars are found to have benefited from large state subsidies.
China’s central and local governments have subsidised domestic EV businesses to the tune of $100bn (£78bn) since October 2009, according to a study by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Claims have prompted an anti-subsidy investigation by the EU, which could put pressure on the UK government to act if it is found that Chinese brands have received an unfair advantage.
