During a recent visit to Beijing, Germany’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck met with Chinese officials to discuss the proposed European Union tariffs on Chinese goods. Habeck reassured the officials that the tariffs were not meant to be punitive, but rather aimed at creating a level playing field for European and Chinese companies.
Habeck’s visit marked the first time a senior European official had been in China since the EU announced plans to impose significant duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles due to concerns about subsidies. In response, China warned that tensions over EVs could escalate into a trade war.
During their meeting, Habeck emphasized that the goal of these tariffs is to promote fair competition between European and Chinese companies, rather than unfairly targeting Chinese companies. Zheng Shanjie, chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, responded by voicing China’s commitment to protecting its companies amidst the escalating frictions with the EU.
Overall, Habeck’s visit aimed to reassure Chinese officials about the intentions behind the proposed EU tariffs and to address concerns about potential trade war risks. The discussions between Habeck and Zheng reflected a mutual desire to navigate these challenges while promoting fair competition between European and Chinese companies.