The European Commission has told EU countries it will continue negotiations with China even after they vote on its proposal to impose final import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, sources familiar with the plans said.

China denies any unfair activity on its part, and has threatened retaliatory tariffs on European products such as dairy, brandy and pork The European Union is planning to vote on Friday about whether to impose tariffs as high as 45 per cent on imported electric vehicles made in China,