Xi presses Scholz for support on EU tariffs at G20 summit
Chinese media reported after the leaders ' meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil that Chinese leader Xi Jinping told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday that he is counting on his country's help in resolving the issue of EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
- It is expected that Europe and China will resolve the issue of electric vehicles through dialogue and negotiations as quickly as possible, and the German side will be willing to make active efforts in this matter - stated Xi, quoted by the state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua.
During the meeting on the sidelines of the two-day G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which concludes on Tuesday, Xi told Scholz that China is ready to work with Germany to strengthen the strategic partnership.
The German government spokesperson stated that Scholz's meeting with Xi lasted 30 minutes, and the Chancellor raised geopolitical issues with the Chinese leader, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Scholz also stated that his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding ending the war in Ukraine was "sobering" - it was added.
China tightened cooperation with Russia
China did not condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and after it began, it tightened cooperation with Russia in many areas, including the military, and conducted joint military exercises and patrols with it.
The recently imposed EU tariffs on electric cars produced in China range from 8 to 35 percent. The reason for their imposition is the Beijing authorities' subsidisation of production. China has sued the World Trade Organization (WTO) against these tariffs.
