Germany urges EU and China to “find negotiated solution” over EVs tariffs

FRANKFURT – German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck urged on Tuesday the European Union and Beijing to “find a negotiated solution” concerning the tariffs on Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles (EVs).

“We want to avoid a trade war, which ultimately harms both parties,” said Habeck, who is also the Minister of Economy, in a statement following his meeting in Berlin with the Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

Wang is scheduled to travel to Brussels on Thursday, attempting to persuade European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis to abandon the EU tariffs.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with Chinese President Xi Jinping last Monday, where he expressed support for efforts to prevent a trade dispute between the European Union and China. He also voiced similar concerns about the potential negative consequences of such a conflict for all parties involved.

The EU considers the imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles (EVs), which are expected to be confirmed by a vote of the 27 EU member states by the end of October.