Xi asks Germany’s Scholz to help resolve issue of EU tariffs on Chinese EVs

RIO DE JANEIRO - Chinese President Xi Jinping told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Nov 19 that he hoped Germany could help the EU and China to resolve the issue of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) as soon as possible, state television CCTV reported.

In talks on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Mr Xi said China was ready to work with Germany to “consolidate” an overall strategic partnership, before raising the issue of EU tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, which have increased the prospects of a trade war between Beijing and the bloc.

“It is hoped that Europe and China will resolve the issue of electric vehicles through dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible, and the German side is willing to make active efforts in this regard,” Mr Xi said, according to a read-out from Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

A German government spokesperson said in a statement that Mr Scholz’s meeting with Mr Xi lasted 30 minutes and that the Chancellor had addressed geopolitical issues including the war in Ukraine and the Middle East.

“In particular, he warned of (the dangers of) escalation due to the deployment of North Korean troops,” the statement said, referring to what the US says is the deployment of 11,000 North Korean troops to fight for Russia against Ukraine.

Mr Scholz also told Mr Xi that his recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine had proved “sobering”, the German statement added.

Mr Xi is on a South America tour that began with his participation at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, where he inaugurated a Chinese-funded Pacific port.

After the conclusion of the G-20 summit on Nov 19, he will embark on a state visit to Brasilia, where he is expected to meet Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and sign several cooperation agreements. REUTERS