Subsidizing cars made by unionized workers, an 'interesting approach', says German MEP

Subsidizing electric cars made by unionized workers is

,

German Socialist MEP Bernd Lange said Thursday, as around 20 countries protested against the White House project.

Read alsoIs the electric car overstepping the mark?

"I think it's an interesting approach to support companies that really respect workers' rights

,

said Bernd Lange, who chairs the European Parliament's trade committee, after a visit to Washington where he met with officials from the Biden administration and congressional officials.

of companies, otherwise this measure would be akin to protectionism, he qualified.

He thus noted that the cars of the American group Tesla would not be affected by this device.

The White House and Congress struck a deal last week for the massive investments Joe Biden wanted.

This text, still discussed in Congress, provides for a maximum tax credit of $ 12,500 for electric vehicles.

This sum includes the current deduction which can go up to 7,500 dollars to which is added a tax credit of 500 dollars if the vehicle is manufactured by unionized workers in the United States as well as 500 dollars if the battery is also American made.

A "discriminatory" measure for Toyota

The ambassadors to the United States of the European Union and 24 countries, including France, Germany, Mexico, Canada and Japan, had sent a letter on Saturday to elected officials of the American Congress.

And the Japanese manufacturer Toyota on Tuesday denounced this subsidy project which it considers

.

For his part Bernd Lange noted that the cars of the American group Tesla would not be affected by this device.

between the manufacturers whatever their nationality, that

of the workers who manufacture the cars,

, he said. concluded.