Negotiations with China on electric vehicles must to continue, because it would be a mistake to exclude foreign competition and narrow the circle of trading partners. This was stated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Reuters reported.
"More trade with more partners from more countries - this is what sound risk management looks like in an uncertain world. This is why talks with China on electric vehicles must continue and why we must finally address the areas where cheap Chinese imports are hurting our economy, such as steel, Scholz said.
On Friday, October 4, EU member states are expected to vote on imposing tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars. According to the EC, cheap loans, land and raw materials should be countered and the goal should be a level playing field, not the exclusion of Chinese EV manufacturers.
German carmakers, which made a third of their sales last year in China, oppose the tariffs.
Olaf Scholz also commented that he wants the EU to conclude more trade deals.
We have not handed over responsibility for trade policy to Europe, so no more deals can be made, he said, adding that the EU must change the system so deals can apply immediately to individual countries that are ratified them.