ROME (Reuters) -Italy backs tariffs proposed by the European Commission on Chinese exports of electric vehicles (EVs), Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview published on Monday before he met China's commerce minister in Rome.

Brussels and Beijing have agreed to take a new look at price undertakings, which could avoid extra tariffs on China-made electric vehicles.

The European Union and China agreed Thursday to intensify discussions as the two sides seek ways to avert looming tariffs on electric cars ahead of a deadline that’s only days away.

The European Commission and China have agreed to intensify efforts to prevent EU import tariffs on China-built electric vehicles. EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao discussed the issue,

The European Commission and China agreed to intensify efforts to avert EU import tariffs on China-built electric vehicles and could re-examine a minimum-price deal previously rejected by the EU, the Commission said on Thursday.

Europe needs China as a “strategic partner” in helping build the bloc’s electric vehicle industry, a top Spanish official said, echoing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s position against EU plans to slap tariffs on Chinese cars.

Makiyama, Director of the European Centre for International Political Economy, speaks to CGTN Europe about the talks between Minister of Commerce of China Wang Wentao and Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis.