Beijing [China], June 23: German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck on Saturday again warned the Chinese government of the economic consequences of its support for Russia.
German and European security interests are directly affected by Russia's war against Ukraine, Habeck said in Beijing at a meeting with Chinese government representatives on climate issues.
The Chinese side was led by Habeck's counterpart, Zheng Shanjie, the chairman of the powerful National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The authority is tasked with steering the development of the Chinese economy.
We would proceed differently and certainly not quite as hard when analysing where we have dependencies on raw materials and technical goods if this war or China's support for Russia in this war did not exist," Habeck emphasized.
The issues cannot not be separated, he added: "Our relationship, our direct relationship, has already been negatively affected." At a press conference in Shanghai later on Saturday, Habeck highlighted the risk of goods that could be used to harm Western interests ending up in Russian hands.
Dual-use goods which can be used both in civilian and military settings are currently reaching Russia via China, he warned.
"These are technical goods that can be used on the battlefield," he said.
Chinese trade with Russia grew by 40% over the previous year, Habeck added, arguing that around half of the growth could be attributed to dual-use goods.
Dispute over electric car tariffs In the trade dispute over tariffs on cheap Chinese electric cars, Habeck called on the Chinese side to take the European Commission's findings seriously.
Shortly after his comments, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said China and the European Union have agreed to co-operate to avert planned punitive tariffs on electric vehicles.
Following a video meeting between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, the ministry said consultations will be held on the EU's investigation into Chinese state subsidies for electric vehicles. .
The European Commission recently published plans for tariffs of up to 38.1% on the import of Chinese electric vehicles. The import duties are due to come into force from early July, but could be retroactively withdrawn if the two sides reach an agreement.
In Beijing, Habeck warned against trade barriers and the sealing off of markets, but also against unfair competition with state favouritism towards companies.
Habeck emphasized that the threatened EU tariffs were not punitive tariffs like those imposed by the United States, Brazil or Turkey.
Rather, they would ensure a level playing field, he said.
"This is an equalization of the advantages granted and that is why it is important to first take the opportunity provided by this report and talk about it, negotiate about it," said Habeck. This could either lead to a different result or even a change in course.
"Otherwise, it will certainly not be possible to prevent these countervailing duties from coming into force in order to safeguard common market access," Habeck said.
Zheng, on the other hand, called Europe's approach "unacceptable."
In the long term, it would reduce the prosperity of European consumers and harm the development of the European automotive industry, he said, adding that it is also not in line with efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.
Source: Qatar Tribune
