Proposed European Union tariffs on Chinese merchandise are not a “punishment,” Germany’s Economic system Minister Robert Habeck explained to Chinese officers in Beijing on Saturday.
Habeck’s stop by to China is the to start with by a senior European official considering that Brussels proposed significant duties on imports of Chinese-built electric powered automobiles (EVs) to combat what the EU considers excessive subsidies.
China warned on Friday in advance of his arrival that escalating frictions with the EU above EVs could bring about a trade war.
Meeting Zheng Shanjie, chairman of China’s Nationwide Improvement and Reform Fee, Habeck reported the proposed EU tariffs ended up supposed to level the taking part in field with China.
“We will do everything to guard Chinese firms,” Zheng replied.