HAMBURG, Germany — Germany on Friday voted against planned import duties on China-made electric vehicles, Nikkei Asia has learned, in a move that deepens the rift between Europe’s largest economy and the European Commission.

Berlin’s resistance, confirmed by diplomats in Brussels, was not enough to shift the overall vote for tariffs, which was supported by France and Italy. But it signals to China that there is more room for negotiation in favor of its car industry.