China has told its automakers to halt big investment in European countries that support extra tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles, two people briefed about the matter said, a move likely to further divide Europe.

The new European Union tariffs of up to 45.3% came into effect on Wednesday after a yearlong investigation that divided the bloc and prompted retaliation from Beijing.

Ten EU members, including France, Poland and Italy, supported tariffs in a vote this month, in which five members, including Germany, opposed them and 12 abstained.