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BEIJING, May 22-- China will cut import tariffs on vehicles and auto parts from July 1, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced Tuesday. For cars, the 25-percent tariff levied on 135 items and the 20-percent duty on four items will both be cut to 15 percent. The items cover passenger cars and certain trucks. Import tariffs on 79 auto parts will all be reduced to 6 percent from the current levels of 8-25 percent. "China safeguards a multilateral trade system. Lowering auto import tariffs is a major step to expand reform and opening-up," the MOF said. After the cut, the average tariff on vehicles will stand at 13.8 percent, and 6 percent on parts. The new rates are "in line with the reality of the auto industry," the ministry said. China has 178 tariff items of vehicles in total, with an average tariff rate of 21.5 percent currently. It has 97 items for auto parts, with an average duty of 10.2 percent. After the tariff cut, China's vehicle import duties will be lower than the average for developing countries. Take passenger vehicles with nine or fewer seats as an example, the tariff will be reduced to 15 percent, compared with 9.8 percent in the European Union, 8 percent in the Republic of Korea, 60 percent in India and 35 percent in Brazil. "Whether China will continue to cut auto import tariffs depends on the competitiveness and development of the auto industry," said the ministry. | 
