China has filed an official complaint against the European Union (EU) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over new tariffs placed on electric vehicles (EVs) made in China. This dispute, now set to play out on the global stage, could have big consequences for the world’s EV industry and the ongoing trade tensions between major economies.

Here’s what’s happening: Last week, the EU announced that it would be charging an extra 8% to 35% on Chinese electric cars imported into Europe. This d...