LONDON, May 22 Reuters European autos stocks were the worst performing equity market sector on Wednesday, following a report that suggested there was potential for China to impose higher tariffs on cars.

A governmentaffiliated auto research body expert told China39;s Global Times newspaper that China should raise its import tariffs on large gasolinepowered cars to 25, as the country faces sharply higher U.S. auto import duties and possibly additional duties to enter the European Union.

An index of European carmakers was last down 1.8 making it the worstperforming sector having pulled back from a 2.4 drop earlier in the session. The broader STOXX 600 which was last down 0.3.

Germany carmakers BMW and MercedesBenz were last down 2.2 and 1.5, respectively. ItalianAmerican automaker Stellantis was down 0.9 having fallen as much as 1.9 earlier in the session.

French car parts maker Valeo was last down 2.5.

Reporting by Lucy Raitano; Editing by Amanda Cooper and Louise Heavens

Source Reuters