Germany’s vice-chancellor said the doors were “open for discussions” with Beijing on EU tariffs but he took a tougher line on Chinese exports to Russia during the first mainland visit from a senior European politician since the duties were announced.
Robert Habeck, minister for economic affairs and climate action, said he hoped for imminent talks between Beijing and Brussels and that the tariffs of up to 38 per cent on Chinese electric vehicles were “not punitive”.
“There’s room for discussion,” he said at a press conference in Shanghai. “I hope that in the days to come the European Commission and the Chinese trade minister will talk.”