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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 137 (from laksa133)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa137.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/","crawl_time":1776311153,"first_indexed_time":1773372115,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"eu,politico!www,\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/ s443","src_root_hash":"15364017793929463337","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"UK and EU scramble to soften post-Brexit auto tariffs cliff edge – POLITICO","meta_descriptions":["The two sides are eyeing a technical workaround for the new duties, which take effect from January 2027."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"News\nTrade UK\nThe two sides are eyeing a technical workaround for the new duties, which take effect from January 2027.\nAI generated Text-to-speech\nCopy Link\nCopied\nShare via email\nShare on X\nShare on WhatsApp\nShare on LinkedIn\nFree article usually reserved for subscribers\nThe border taxes would deal a second blow to British carmakers who are already at risk of being locked out of certain EU contracts under the terms of Brussels’ nascent Made in Europe industrial policy. | Chesnot\/Getty Images\nExclusive\nMarch 10, 2026\n6:45 am CET\nBy\nGraham Lanktree\nand\nJon Stone\nLONDON — Britain and the European Union are working to soften the blow of a Brexit trade deal cliff-edge that threatens to raise the cost of cross-channel electric vehicle exports by 10 percent.\nExports from several major automakers are set to be hit by duties at the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year.\nRules in the Brexit trade deal are tightening to require more of the vehicles and their batteries to be sourced from Europe rather than China.\nBut carmakers on both sides of the channel are struggling to develop domestic battery production fast enough to meet demand for EVs, exposing them to tariffs when the new rules kick in.\nThe duties would deal a second blow to British carmakers who also face being locked out of valuable EU deals under Brussels’ nascent\nMade in Europe industrial policy\n.\nIn a bid to minimize the impact of the new tariffs rules, London and Brussels are now negotiating how to define the chemical makeup of EV batteries as part of the 2026 review of the Brexit deal, two senior industry figures told POLITICO.\nThe hope is that a change in definitions could give manufacturers more leeway to meet trade rules — without reopening the hard terms of the Brexit trade agreement.\n“I know there's dialogue going on,” Mike Hawes, chief executive of Britain’s SMMT auto lobby, told reporters at a major industry conference in London Thursday. “I don't think it's in anyone's interest to put additional tariffs on trade between the UK in the EU and electrified vehicles when both markets are trying to encourage the sale of those vehicles.”\nYet the “tinkering” with the U.K.-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is unlikely to avoid making EVs more expensive throughout Europe, said a senior automotive industry figure. Like others cited in this report, they were granted anonymity to discuss the private talks.\nThe U.K. government declined to comment.\nA European Commission spokesperson said: \"The EU and the U.K. are committed to providing guidance on the matter ... Discussion are ongoing between the two with the aim to clarify the provisions of the TCA for our businesses on both sides of the Channel.\"\nThe workaround\nThe rules of the Brexit trade deal will tighten significantly from Jan. 1, 2027, with 55 percent of a vehicle’s value and 70 percent of the battery pack and battery cell\nrequired to originate from the U.K. or EU\nto dodge the new tariffs.\nA last-minute deal struck in December 2023 delayed the new rules by three years, but Brussels said at the time they would not be extended again.\nA senior European business representative confirmed that the U.K. and EU were in talks to “clarify” the rules of origin terms for batteries, noting this could provide some leeway for firms without delaying the changes again.\nExports from Jaguar Land Rover, Stellantis, Ford, BMW and other automakers are set to get hit by duties at both the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year. | Rui Vieira\/PA Images via Getty Images\nA technical group that deals with the rules of origin requirements in the TCA is discussing “the guidance for the definition of cathode active material,” said the senior automotive industry figure cited above. The high-purity metal oxide compounds enable the electrochemical storage and release of energy in lithium-ion batteries.\n“At the moment, there are negotiations between the U.K. and the EU around how you define that and what the maximum levels of non-originating material for different parts of the battery could be,” they said.\nLondon and Brussels are holding technical conversations about at what point in the supply chain firms can mix the different elements that go into the battery to count towards local content, the person added. \nLobbying fight\nThe discussions will lead to a lobbying “battle” between the chemicals and automotive sectors as each vies to have more or less Chinese manufacturing in the supply chain, the senior European business representative said.\nMeanwhile, some automotive firms won’t be able to meet the requirements, they said, although this would depend on their market position and the supply chains of individual automakers.\n“Everyone is aware that the battery supply chain hasn’t localized as fast as people hoped,” the senior auto industry figure said, noting that battery companies like Britishvolt have collapsed and other investments have been canceled.\nTo avoid tariffs on the trade in EVs between the EU and the U.K., governments in both London and Brussels “need to work with industry to agree a reasonable definition of what constitutes an originating cathode active material,” the U.K.’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders\nset out in a report\nlast year.\nBut this is all “tinkering” that won’t resolve the key issue of duties making EVs more expensive, the auto industry figure said. “There’ll be more clarity but, ultimately, people are not going to be compliant across all of their vehicle lines by Jan. 1, 2027.”\nThis story was updated to include a response from the European Commission.","attrs_markdown":"![](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tr?id=394368290733607&ev=PageView&noscript=1)\n\n[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/#main)\n\nAdvertisement\n\nMenu\n\nEdition: Europe\n\n- [Europe](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/?no-geo-redirect)\n- [UK](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/uk\/)\n- [France](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/france-politics-news\/)\n- [Germany](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/german-politics\/)\n- [US](https:\/\/www.politico.com\/)\n\n- - 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[Trade UK](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/section\/trade-uk\/)\n\n# UK and EU scramble to soften post-Brexit auto tariffs cliff edge\nThe two sides are eyeing a technical workaround for the new duties, which take effect from January 2027.\n\nListen\n\nAI generated Text-to-speech\n\n- [Copy Link Copied](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/ \"Copy Link\")\n- [Share via email](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#af90cdc0cbd692c7dbdbdfdc8a9cee8a9de98a9de9d8d8d881dfc0c3c6dbc6ccc081cada8a9de9cedddbc6ccc3ca8a9de9dac482cada82dcccddcec2cdc3ca82dcc0c9dbcac182dfc0dcdb82cdddcad7c6db82cedadbc082dbceddc6c9c982ccc3c6c9c982cacbc8ca8a9de9898c9f9c9794dcdacdc5caccdb92fae48a9d9fcec1cb8a9d9feafa8a9d9fdcccddcec2cdc3ca8a9d9fdbc08a9d9fdcc0c9dbcac18a9d9fdfc0dcdb82edddcad7c6db8a9d9fcedadbc08a9d9fdbceddc6c9c9dc8a9d9fccc3c6c9c98a9d9fcacbc8ca \"EMail\")\n- [Share on X](https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/post\/?url=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/&text=UK%20and%20EU%20scramble%20to%20soften%20post-Brexit%20auto%20tariffs%20cliff%20edge \"X\")\n- [Share on WhatsApp](https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=UK%20and%20EU%20scramble%20to%20soften%20post-Brexit%20auto%20tariffs%20cliff%20edge%20https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/ \"WhatsApp\")\n- [Share on LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/&title=UK%20and%20EU%20scramble%20to%20soften%20post-Brexit%20auto%20tariffs%20cliff%20edge&summary=UK%20and%20EU%20scramble%20to%20soften%20post-Brexit%20auto%20tariffs%20cliff%20edge&source=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/ \"Linkedin\")\n\n[Free article usually reserved for subscribers](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/pro\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/)\n\n![Countdown To Brexit : Illustration](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1160,height=773,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/09\/GettyImages-1202795278-scaled.jpg)\n\nThe border taxes would deal a second blow to British carmakers who are already at risk of being locked out of certain EU contracts under the terms of Brussels’ nascent Made in Europe industrial policy. \\| Chesnot\/Getty Images\n\nExclusive\n\nMarch 10, 2026   6:45 am CET\n\nBy  [Graham Lanktree](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/author\/graham-lanktree\/) and   [Jon Stone](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/author\/jon-stone\/)\n\nLONDON — Britain and the European Union are working to soften the blow of a Brexit trade deal cliff-edge that threatens to raise the cost of cross-channel electric vehicle exports by 10 percent.\n\nExports from several major automakers are set to be hit by duties at the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year.\n\nRules in the Brexit trade deal are tightening to require more of the vehicles and their batteries to be sourced from Europe rather than China.\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nBut carmakers on both sides of the channel are struggling to develop domestic battery production fast enough to meet demand for EVs, exposing them to tariffs when the new rules kick in.\n\nThe duties would deal a second blow to British carmakers who also face being locked out of valuable EU deals under Brussels’ nascent [Made in Europe industrial policy](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/made-in-europe-debate-france-uk-brexit-trade-rules\/).\n\nIn a bid to minimize the impact of the new tariffs rules, London and Brussels are now negotiating how to define the chemical makeup of EV batteries as part of the 2026 review of the Brexit deal, two senior industry figures told POLITICO.\n\nThe hope is that a change in definitions could give manufacturers more leeway to meet trade rules — without reopening the hard terms of the Brexit trade agreement.\n\n“I know there's dialogue going on,” Mike Hawes, chief executive of Britain’s SMMT auto lobby, told reporters at a major industry conference in London Thursday. “I don't think it's in anyone's interest to put additional tariffs on trade between the UK in the EU and electrified vehicles when both markets are trying to encourage the sale of those vehicles.”\n\nYet the “tinkering” with the U.K.-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is unlikely to avoid making EVs more expensive throughout Europe, said a senior automotive industry figure. Like others cited in this report, they were granted anonymity to discuss the private talks.\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nThe U.K. government declined to comment.\n\nA European Commission spokesperson said: \"The EU and the U.K. are committed to providing guidance on the matter ... Discussion are ongoing between the two with the aim to clarify the provisions of the TCA for our businesses on both sides of the Channel.\"\n\n### The workaround\nThe rules of the Brexit trade deal will tighten significantly from Jan. 1, 2027, with 55 percent of a vehicle’s value and 70 percent of the battery pack and battery cell [required to originate from the U.K. or EU](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/trade-and-cooperation-agreement-partnership-council-decision-number-1-2023-electric-vehicle-rules-of-origin\/trade-and-cooperation-agreement-partnership-council-decision-1-for-2023-21-december-2023) to dodge the new tariffs.\n\nA last-minute deal struck in December 2023 delayed the new rules by three years, but Brussels said at the time they would not be extended again.\n\nA senior European business representative confirmed that the U.K. and EU were in talks to “clarify” the rules of origin terms for batteries, noting this could provide some leeway for firms without delaying the changes again.\n\n![](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/09\/GettyImages-829320594-1024x643.jpg)\n\nExports from Jaguar Land Rover, Stellantis, Ford, BMW and other automakers are set to get hit by duties at both the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year. \\| Rui Vieira\/PA Images via Getty Images\n\nA technical group that deals with the rules of origin requirements in the TCA is discussing “the guidance for the definition of cathode active material,” said the senior automotive industry figure cited above. The high-purity metal oxide compounds enable the electrochemical storage and release of energy in lithium-ion batteries.\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\n“At the moment, there are negotiations between the U.K. and the EU around how you define that and what the maximum levels of non-originating material for different parts of the battery could be,” they said.\n\nLondon and Brussels are holding technical conversations about at what point in the supply chain firms can mix the different elements that go into the battery to count towards local content, the person added.\n\n### Lobbying fight\nThe discussions will lead to a lobbying “battle” between the chemicals and automotive sectors as each vies to have more or less Chinese manufacturing in the supply chain, the senior European business representative said.\n\nMeanwhile, some automotive firms won’t be able to meet the requirements, they said, although this would depend on their market position and the supply chains of individual automakers.\n\n“Everyone is aware that the battery supply chain hasn’t localized as fast as people hoped,” the senior auto industry figure said, noting that battery companies like Britishvolt have collapsed and other investments have been canceled.\n\nTo avoid tariffs on the trade in EVs between the EU and the U.K., governments in both London and Brussels “need to work with industry to agree a reasonable definition of what constitutes an originating cathode active material,” the U.K.’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders [set out in a report](https:\/\/smmtweb.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2025-SMMT-Trade-Report-Unmarked-Routes.pdf) last year.\n\nBut this is all “tinkering” that won’t resolve the key issue of duties making EVs more expensive, the auto industry figure said. “There’ll be more clarity but, ultimately, people are not going to be compliant across all of their vehicle lines by Jan. 1, 2027.”\n\n*This story was updated to include a response from the European Commission.*\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nRelated Tags\n\n[Batteries](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/batteries\/)   [Borders](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/borders\/)   [Brexit](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/brexit\/)   [Chemicals](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/chemicals\/)   [Companies](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/companies\/)   [Cooperation](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/cooperation\/)   [Dumping\/Duties](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/dumpingduties\/)   [Electric vehicles](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/electric-vehicles\/)   [Energy](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/energy\/)   [Exports](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/exports\/)   [Industry](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/industry\/)   [Lobbying](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/lobbying\/)   [Manufacturing](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/manufacturing\/)   [Markets](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/stock-markets\/)   [Negotiations](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/negotiations\/)   [Rules of origin](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/rules-of-origin\/)   [Security](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/security\/)   [Supply chains](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/supply-chains\/)   [Tariffs](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/tariffs\/)   [Trade](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/trade\/)   [Trade Agreements](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/tag\/trade-agreements\/)\n\nRelated Countries\n\n[China](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/country\/china\/)   [United Kingdom](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/country\/united-kingdom\/)\n\n## Our readers read next\n![Iran crisis shoves Europe’s economic woes off summit agenda](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/16\/GettyImages-2270935426-scaled.jpg)\n\n## [Iran crisis shoves Europe’s economic woes off summit agenda](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/iran-crisis-europe-economic-woes-off-eu-summit-agenda\/)\n1 HR ago   5 mins read\n\n![Fighter pilot Rumen 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[Trade UK](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/section\/trade-uk\/)\n\nThe two sides are eyeing a technical workaround for the new duties, which take effect from January 2027.\n\nAI generated Text-to-speech\n\n- [Copy Link Copied](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/ \"Copy Link\")\n- [Share via email](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#af90cdc0cbd692c7dbdbdfdc8a9cee8a9de98a9de9d8d8d881dfc0c3c6dbc6ccc081cada8a9de9cedddbc6ccc3ca8a9de9dac482cada82dcccddcec2cdc3ca82dcc0c9dbcac182dfc0dcdb82cdddcad7c6db82cedadbc082dbceddc6c9c982ccc3c6c9c982cacbc8ca8a9de9898c9f9c9794dcdacdc5caccdb92fae48a9d9fcec1cb8a9d9feafa8a9d9fdcccddcec2cdc3ca8a9d9fdbc08a9d9fdcc0c9dbcac18a9d9fdfc0dcdb82edddcad7c6db8a9d9fcedadbc08a9d9fdbceddc6c9c9dc8a9d9fccc3c6c9c98a9d9fcacbc8ca \"EMail\")\n- [Share on X](https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/post\/?url=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/&text=UK%20and%20EU%20scramble%20to%20soften%20post-Brexit%20auto%20tariffs%20cliff%20edge \"X\")\n- [Share on WhatsApp](https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=UK%20and%20EU%20scramble%20to%20soften%20post-Brexit%20auto%20tariffs%20cliff%20edge%20https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/ \"WhatsApp\")\n- [Share on LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/&title=UK%20and%20EU%20scramble%20to%20soften%20post-Brexit%20auto%20tariffs%20cliff%20edge&summary=UK%20and%20EU%20scramble%20to%20soften%20post-Brexit%20auto%20tariffs%20cliff%20edge&source=https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/ \"Linkedin\")\n\n[Free article usually reserved for subscribers](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/pro\/uk-eu-scramble-soften-post-brexit-auto-tariff-cliff-edge\/)\n\n![Countdown To Brexit : Illustration](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1160,height=773,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/09\/GettyImages-1202795278-scaled.jpg)\n\nThe border taxes would deal a second blow to British carmakers who are already at risk of being locked out of certain EU contracts under the terms of Brussels’ nascent Made in Europe industrial policy. \\| Chesnot\/Getty Images\n\nExclusive\n\nMarch 10, 2026   6:45 am CET\n\nBy  [Graham Lanktree](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/author\/graham-lanktree\/) and   [Jon Stone](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/author\/jon-stone\/)\n\nLONDON — Britain and the European Union are working to soften the blow of a Brexit trade deal cliff-edge that threatens to raise the cost of cross-channel electric vehicle exports by 10 percent.\n\nExports from several major automakers are set to be hit by duties at the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year.\n\nRules in the Brexit trade deal are tightening to require more of the vehicles and their batteries to be sourced from Europe rather than China.\n\nBut carmakers on both sides of the channel are struggling to develop domestic battery production fast enough to meet demand for EVs, exposing them to tariffs when the new rules kick in.\n\nThe duties would deal a second blow to British carmakers who also face being locked out of valuable EU deals under Brussels’ nascent [Made in Europe industrial policy](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/made-in-europe-debate-france-uk-brexit-trade-rules\/).\n\nIn a bid to minimize the impact of the new tariffs rules, London and Brussels are now negotiating how to define the chemical makeup of EV batteries as part of the 2026 review of the Brexit deal, two senior industry figures told POLITICO.\n\nThe hope is that a change in definitions could give manufacturers more leeway to meet trade rules — without reopening the hard terms of the Brexit trade agreement.\n\n“I know there's dialogue going on,” Mike Hawes, chief executive of Britain’s SMMT auto lobby, told reporters at a major industry conference in London Thursday. “I don't think it's in anyone's interest to put additional tariffs on trade between the UK in the EU and electrified vehicles when both markets are trying to encourage the sale of those vehicles.”\n\nYet the “tinkering” with the U.K.-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is unlikely to avoid making EVs more expensive throughout Europe, said a senior automotive industry figure. Like others cited in this report, they were granted anonymity to discuss the private talks.\n\nThe U.K. government declined to comment.\n\nA European Commission spokesperson said: \"The EU and the U.K. are committed to providing guidance on the matter ... Discussion are ongoing between the two with the aim to clarify the provisions of the TCA for our businesses on both sides of the Channel.\"\n\n### The workaround\nThe rules of the Brexit trade deal will tighten significantly from Jan. 1, 2027, with 55 percent of a vehicle’s value and 70 percent of the battery pack and battery cell [required to originate from the U.K. or EU](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/trade-and-cooperation-agreement-partnership-council-decision-number-1-2023-electric-vehicle-rules-of-origin\/trade-and-cooperation-agreement-partnership-council-decision-1-for-2023-21-december-2023) to dodge the new tariffs.\n\nA last-minute deal struck in December 2023 delayed the new rules by three years, but Brussels said at the time they would not be extended again.\n\nA senior European business representative confirmed that the U.K. and EU were in talks to “clarify” the rules of origin terms for batteries, noting this could provide some leeway for firms without delaying the changes again.\n\n![](https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/09\/GettyImages-829320594-1024x643.jpg)\n\nExports from Jaguar Land Rover, Stellantis, Ford, BMW and other automakers are set to get hit by duties at both the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year. \\| Rui Vieira\/PA Images via Getty Images\n\nA technical group that deals with the rules of origin requirements in the TCA is discussing “the guidance for the definition of cathode active material,” said the senior automotive industry figure cited above. The high-purity metal oxide compounds enable the electrochemical storage and release of energy in lithium-ion batteries.\n\n“At the moment, there are negotiations between the U.K. and the EU around how you define that and what the maximum levels of non-originating material for different parts of the battery could be,” they said.\n\nLondon and Brussels are holding technical conversations about at what point in the supply chain firms can mix the different elements that go into the battery to count towards local content, the person added.\n\n### Lobbying fight\nThe discussions will lead to a lobbying “battle” between the chemicals and automotive sectors as each vies to have more or less Chinese manufacturing in the supply chain, the senior European business representative said.\n\nMeanwhile, some automotive firms won’t be able to meet the requirements, they said, although this would depend on their market position and the supply chains of individual automakers.\n\n“Everyone is aware that the battery supply chain hasn’t localized as fast as people hoped,” the senior auto industry figure said, noting that battery companies like Britishvolt have collapsed and other investments have been canceled.\n\nTo avoid tariffs on the trade in EVs between the EU and the U.K., governments in both London and Brussels “need to work with industry to agree a reasonable definition of what constitutes an originating cathode active material,” the U.K.’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders [set out in a report](https:\/\/smmtweb.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2025-SMMT-Trade-Report-Unmarked-Routes.pdf) last year.\n\nBut this is all “tinkering” that won’t resolve the key issue of duties making EVs more expensive, the auto industry figure said. “There’ll be more clarity but, ultimately, people are not going to be compliant across all of their vehicle lines by Jan. 1, 2027.”\n\n*This story was updated to include a response from the European Commission.*","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	News Trade UK The two sides are eyeing a technical workaround for the new duties, which take effect from January 2027. AI generated Text-to-speech Copy Link Copied Share via email Share on X Share on WhatsApp Share on LinkedIn Free article usually reserved for subscribers The border taxes would deal a second blow to British carmakers who are already at risk of being locked out of certain EU contracts under the terms of Brussels’ nascent Made in Europe industrial policy. \| Chesnot/Getty Images Exclusive March 10, 2026 6:45 am CET By Graham Lanktree and Jon Stone LONDON — Britain and the European Union are working to soften the blow of a Brexit trade deal cliff-edge that threatens to raise the cost of cross-channel electric vehicle exports by 10 percent. Exports from several major automakers are set to be hit by duties at the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year. Rules in the Brexit trade deal are tightening to require more of the vehicles and their batteries to be sourced from Europe rather than China. But carmakers on both sides of the channel are struggling to develop domestic battery production fast enough to meet demand for EVs, exposing them to tariffs when the new rules kick in. The duties would deal a second blow to British carmakers who also face being locked out of valuable EU deals under Brussels’ nascent Made in Europe industrial policy . In a bid to minimize the impact of the new tariffs rules, London and Brussels are now negotiating how to define the chemical makeup of EV batteries as part of the 2026 review of the Brexit deal, two senior industry figures told POLITICO. The hope is that a change in definitions could give manufacturers more leeway to meet trade rules — without reopening the hard terms of the Brexit trade agreement. “I know there's dialogue going on,” Mike Hawes, chief executive of Britain’s SMMT auto lobby, told reporters at a major industry conference in London Thursday. “I don't think it's in anyone's interest to put additional tariffs on trade between the UK in the EU and electrified vehicles when both markets are trying to encourage the sale of those vehicles.” Yet the “tinkering” with the U.K.-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is unlikely to avoid making EVs more expensive throughout Europe, said a senior automotive industry figure. Like others cited in this report, they were granted anonymity to discuss the private talks. The U.K. government declined to comment. A European Commission spokesperson said: "The EU and the U.K. are committed to providing guidance on the matter ... Discussion are ongoing between the two with the aim to clarify the provisions of the TCA for our businesses on both sides of the Channel." The workaround The rules of the Brexit trade deal will tighten significantly from Jan. 1, 2027, with 55 percent of a vehicle’s value and 70 percent of the battery pack and battery cell required to originate from the U.K. or EU to dodge the new tariffs. A last-minute deal struck in December 2023 delayed the new rules by three years, but Brussels said at the time they would not be extended again. A senior European business representative confirmed that the U.K. and EU were in talks to “clarify” the rules of origin terms for batteries, noting this could provide some leeway for firms without delaying the changes again. Exports from Jaguar Land Rover, Stellantis, Ford, BMW and other automakers are set to get hit by duties at both the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year. \| Rui Vieira/PA Images via Getty Images A technical group that deals with the rules of origin requirements in the TCA is discussing “the guidance for the definition of cathode active material,” said the senior automotive industry figure cited above. The high-purity metal oxide compounds enable the electrochemical storage and release of energy in lithium-ion batteries. “At the moment, there are negotiations between the U.K. and the EU around how you define that and what the maximum levels of non-originating material for different parts of the battery could be,” they said. London and Brussels are holding technical conversations about at what point in the supply chain firms can mix the different elements that go into the battery to count towards local content, the person added. Lobbying fight The discussions will lead to a lobbying “battle” between the chemicals and automotive sectors as each vies to have more or less Chinese manufacturing in the supply chain, the senior European business representative said. Meanwhile, some automotive firms won’t be able to meet the requirements, they said, although this would depend on their market position and the supply chains of individual automakers. “Everyone is aware that the battery supply chain hasn’t localized as fast as people hoped,” the senior auto industry figure said, noting that battery companies like Britishvolt have collapsed and other investments have been canceled. To avoid tariffs on the trade in EVs between the EU and the U.K., governments in both London and Brussels “need to work with industry to agree a reasonable definition of what constitutes an originating cathode active material,” the U.K.’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders set out in a report last year. But this is all “tinkering” that won’t resolve the key issue of duties making EVs more expensive, the auto industry figure said. “There’ll be more clarity but, ultimately, people are not going to be compliant across all of their vehicle lines by Jan. 1, 2027.” This story was updated to include a response from the European Commission.
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[News](https://www.politico.eu/news) 2. [Trade UK](https://www.politico.eu/section/trade-uk/) # UK and EU scramble to soften post-Brexit auto tariffs cliff edge The two sides are eyeing a technical workaround for the new duties, which take effect from January 2027. 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Exports from several major automakers are set to be hit by duties at the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year. Rules in the Brexit trade deal are tightening to require more of the vehicles and their batteries to be sourced from Europe rather than China. Advertisement Advertisement But carmakers on both sides of the channel are struggling to develop domestic battery production fast enough to meet demand for EVs, exposing them to tariffs when the new rules kick in. The duties would deal a second blow to British carmakers who also face being locked out of valuable EU deals under Brussels’ nascent [Made in Europe industrial policy](https://www.politico.eu/article/made-in-europe-debate-france-uk-brexit-trade-rules/). In a bid to minimize the impact of the new tariffs rules, London and Brussels are now negotiating how to define the chemical makeup of EV batteries as part of the 2026 review of the Brexit deal, two senior industry figures told POLITICO. The hope is that a change in definitions could give manufacturers more leeway to meet trade rules — without reopening the hard terms of the Brexit trade agreement. “I know there's dialogue going on,” Mike Hawes, chief executive of Britain’s SMMT auto lobby, told reporters at a major industry conference in London Thursday. “I don't think it's in anyone's interest to put additional tariffs on trade between the UK in the EU and electrified vehicles when both markets are trying to encourage the sale of those vehicles.” Yet the “tinkering” with the U.K.-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is unlikely to avoid making EVs more expensive throughout Europe, said a senior automotive industry figure. Like others cited in this report, they were granted anonymity to discuss the private talks. Advertisement Advertisement The U.K. government declined to comment. A European Commission spokesperson said: "The EU and the U.K. are committed to providing guidance on the matter ... Discussion are ongoing between the two with the aim to clarify the provisions of the TCA for our businesses on both sides of the Channel." ### The workaround The rules of the Brexit trade deal will tighten significantly from Jan. 1, 2027, with 55 percent of a vehicle’s value and 70 percent of the battery pack and battery cell [required to originate from the U.K. or EU](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trade-and-cooperation-agreement-partnership-council-decision-number-1-2023-electric-vehicle-rules-of-origin/trade-and-cooperation-agreement-partnership-council-decision-1-for-2023-21-december-2023) to dodge the new tariffs. A last-minute deal struck in December 2023 delayed the new rules by three years, but Brussels said at the time they would not be extended again. A senior European business representative confirmed that the U.K. and EU were in talks to “clarify” the rules of origin terms for batteries, noting this could provide some leeway for firms without delaying the changes again. ![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/09/GettyImages-829320594-1024x643.jpg) Exports from Jaguar Land Rover, Stellantis, Ford, BMW and other automakers are set to get hit by duties at both the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year. \\| Rui Vieira/PA Images via Getty Images A technical group that deals with the rules of origin requirements in the TCA is discussing “the guidance for the definition of cathode active material,” said the senior automotive industry figure cited above. The high-purity metal oxide compounds enable the electrochemical storage and release of energy in lithium-ion batteries. Advertisement Advertisement “At the moment, there are negotiations between the U.K. and the EU around how you define that and what the maximum levels of non-originating material for different parts of the battery could be,” they said. London and Brussels are holding technical conversations about at what point in the supply chain firms can mix the different elements that go into the battery to count towards local content, the person added. ### Lobbying fight The discussions will lead to a lobbying “battle” between the chemicals and automotive sectors as each vies to have more or less Chinese manufacturing in the supply chain, the senior European business representative said. Meanwhile, some automotive firms won’t be able to meet the requirements, they said, although this would depend on their market position and the supply chains of individual automakers. “Everyone is aware that the battery supply chain hasn’t localized as fast as people hoped,” the senior auto industry figure said, noting that battery companies like Britishvolt have collapsed and other investments have been canceled. To avoid tariffs on the trade in EVs between the EU and the U.K., governments in both London and Brussels “need to work with industry to agree a reasonable definition of what constitutes an originating cathode active material,” the U.K.’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders [set out in a report](https://smmtweb.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-SMMT-Trade-Report-Unmarked-Routes.pdf) last year. But this is all “tinkering” that won’t resolve the key issue of duties making EVs more expensive, the auto industry figure said. “There’ll be more clarity but, ultimately, people are not going to be compliant across all of their vehicle lines by Jan. 1, 2027.” This story was updated to include a response from the European Commission. 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Apr 1 2 mins read ![European and Indo-Pacific alliance eyes digital trade deal](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=380,height=253,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/28/WTO-Cameroon-scaled.jpg) ## [European and Indo-Pacific alliance eyes digital trade deal](https://www.politico.eu/article/european-and-indo-pacific-alliance-eyes-digital-trade-deal/) “This is historic,” Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu told POLITICO. “We’re also having conversations on trade and investment facilitation \[and\] supply chain resiliency.” Mar 27 2 mins read - - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/POLITICOeu/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/POLITICOEurope) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWMhlrCnmb14IkQBfiSXktA) - [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/be/app/politico-pro-europe/id1396447664) - [Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.politico.promobile&hl=en_UK) - - [Policy](https://www.politico.eu/section/policy/) - [Agriculture and Food](https://www.politico.eu/section/agriculture/) - 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Readable Markdown	1. [News](https://www.politico.eu/news) 2. [Trade UK](https://www.politico.eu/section/trade-uk/) The two sides are eyeing a technical workaround for the new duties, which take effect from January 2027. 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Exports from several major automakers are set to be hit by duties at the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year. Rules in the Brexit trade deal are tightening to require more of the vehicles and their batteries to be sourced from Europe rather than China. But carmakers on both sides of the channel are struggling to develop domestic battery production fast enough to meet demand for EVs, exposing them to tariffs when the new rules kick in. The duties would deal a second blow to British carmakers who also face being locked out of valuable EU deals under Brussels’ nascent [Made in Europe industrial policy](https://www.politico.eu/article/made-in-europe-debate-france-uk-brexit-trade-rules/). In a bid to minimize the impact of the new tariffs rules, London and Brussels are now negotiating how to define the chemical makeup of EV batteries as part of the 2026 review of the Brexit deal, two senior industry figures told POLITICO. The hope is that a change in definitions could give manufacturers more leeway to meet trade rules — without reopening the hard terms of the Brexit trade agreement. “I know there's dialogue going on,” Mike Hawes, chief executive of Britain’s SMMT auto lobby, told reporters at a major industry conference in London Thursday. “I don't think it's in anyone's interest to put additional tariffs on trade between the UK in the EU and electrified vehicles when both markets are trying to encourage the sale of those vehicles.” Yet the “tinkering” with the U.K.-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is unlikely to avoid making EVs more expensive throughout Europe, said a senior automotive industry figure. Like others cited in this report, they were granted anonymity to discuss the private talks. The U.K. government declined to comment. A European Commission spokesperson said: "The EU and the U.K. are committed to providing guidance on the matter ... Discussion are ongoing between the two with the aim to clarify the provisions of the TCA for our businesses on both sides of the Channel." ### The workaround The rules of the Brexit trade deal will tighten significantly from Jan. 1, 2027, with 55 percent of a vehicle’s value and 70 percent of the battery pack and battery cell [required to originate from the U.K. or EU](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trade-and-cooperation-agreement-partnership-council-decision-number-1-2023-electric-vehicle-rules-of-origin/trade-and-cooperation-agreement-partnership-council-decision-1-for-2023-21-december-2023) to dodge the new tariffs. A last-minute deal struck in December 2023 delayed the new rules by three years, but Brussels said at the time they would not be extended again. A senior European business representative confirmed that the U.K. and EU were in talks to “clarify” the rules of origin terms for batteries, noting this could provide some leeway for firms without delaying the changes again. ![](https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/09/GettyImages-829320594-1024x643.jpg) Exports from Jaguar Land Rover, Stellantis, Ford, BMW and other automakers are set to get hit by duties at both the U.K. and EU border from the start of next year. \\| Rui Vieira/PA Images via Getty Images A technical group that deals with the rules of origin requirements in the TCA is discussing “the guidance for the definition of cathode active material,” said the senior automotive industry figure cited above. The high-purity metal oxide compounds enable the electrochemical storage and release of energy in lithium-ion batteries. “At the moment, there are negotiations between the U.K. and the EU around how you define that and what the maximum levels of non-originating material for different parts of the battery could be,” they said. London and Brussels are holding technical conversations about at what point in the supply chain firms can mix the different elements that go into the battery to count towards local content, the person added. ### Lobbying fight The discussions will lead to a lobbying “battle” between the chemicals and automotive sectors as each vies to have more or less Chinese manufacturing in the supply chain, the senior European business representative said. Meanwhile, some automotive firms won’t be able to meet the requirements, they said, although this would depend on their market position and the supply chains of individual automakers. “Everyone is aware that the battery supply chain hasn’t localized as fast as people hoped,” the senior auto industry figure said, noting that battery companies like Britishvolt have collapsed and other investments have been canceled. To avoid tariffs on the trade in EVs between the EU and the U.K., governments in both London and Brussels “need to work with industry to agree a reasonable definition of what constitutes an originating cathode active material,” the U.K.’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders [set out in a report](https://smmtweb.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-SMMT-Trade-Report-Unmarked-Routes.pdf) last year. But this is all “tinkering” that won’t resolve the key issue of duties making EVs more expensive, the auto industry figure said. “There’ll be more clarity but, ultimately, people are not going to be compliant across all of their vehicle lines by Jan. 1, 2027.” This story was updated to include a response from the European Commission.
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