By Andreas Rinke FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Germany on Friday will vote against the introduction of European Union tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

Under EU rules, the Commission can impose the tariffs for the next five years unless a qualified majority of 15 EU countries representing 65% of the EU’s population votes against the plan.

The EU's decision to impose far higher tariffs on imported Chinese EVs seeks to safeguard European automakers — but could prompt Beijing to retaliate.