At the Paris car show, tensions flared between Chinese and European automakers as the EU prepares to impose steep tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) amid weak demand in the industry. Chinese brands, including BYD and Leapmotor, showcased their latest models, pushing for market expansion despite the impending tariffs, which Chinese executives warned could hurt consumers. European automakers, facing profitability challenges and intense competition, sought to defend their home market, with brands like Volkswagen and Stellantis grappling with internal pressures and declining Chinese demand. The EV market has also been hit by reduced government subsidies in Europe, while Chinese automakers look to Europe to offset losses from a saturated domestic market and exclusion from the US.