German Vice Chancellor Condemns CCP Support for Russia, Citing Harm to Berlin-Beijing Relations

June 23, 2024 TruthUSA

Robert Habeck is the first European senior official to visit China since Brussels increased tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China.

During an official visit to China, German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck noted that the Chinese communist regime’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war has strained the economic relationship between Berlin and Beijing.

Mr. Habeck mentioned that bilateral trade between China and Russia saw a significant increase in 2023, with almost half of it being goods with dual civilian and military applications.

While speaking to reporters in Shanghai on June 22, Mr. Habeck emphasized that circumventing sanctions on Russia is unacceptable.

Mr. Habeck’s three-day visit to China occurred amidst escalating tensions between China and the European Union concerning trade, human rights, and the conflict in Ukraine.

Upon arriving in Beijing on June 21, Mr. Habeck held meetings with China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Industrial Minister Jin Zhuanglong, and Zheng Shanjie, the head of China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission. He then proceeded to Shanghai on June 22.

Expressing concern, Mr. Habeck stated that Beijing’s support for Moscow has adversely impacted its relationship with the 27-nation European bloc.

He emphasized the need to diversify supply chains to avoid heavy reliance on raw materials that may pose a threat to Germany’s interests.

China has been Germany’s largest trading partner for years, with total trade volume reaching 254 billion euros ($271 billion) in 2023 according to Germany’s official data.

In an effort to reduce dependency on trade with China, Germany has been focusing on diversifying its key goods supply through a strategy called “de-risking,” as outlined in its first-ever China strategy released last July.

In the first quarter of this year, the United States surpassed China to become Germany’s top trading partner, with 63 billion euros ($68 billion) worth of goods and services exchanged between the two countries. This figure for China was under 60 billion euros ($64 billion) as per Germany’s statistics office.

Mr. Habeck’s visit to China follows a similar visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz two months prior. During the meeting with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping, Mr. Scholz urged for Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the military campaign, as stated in a readout by his office.

Electric cars for export stacked at the international container terminal of Taicang Port in Suzhou, in China's eastern Jiangsu Province, on April 16, 2024. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) — Electric cars for export stacked at the international container terminal of Taicang Port in Suzhou, in China’s eastern Jiangsu Province, on April 16, 2024. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

‘Not Punitive Tariffs’

Mr. Habeck is the first senior European official to visit China since Brussels announced additional tariffs of up to 38.1 percent on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China. The European Union found that China’s EV makers benefit from unfair state subsidies, harming the EU’s auto industry.

In retaliation, China’s commerce ministry initiated an anti-dumping probe into pork imported from the EU. Just before the German vice chancellor’s arrival in Beijing, the ministry issued a statement accusing Brussels of escalating trade tensions that could lead to a trade war.

During his meetings with Chinese officials, Mr. Habeck defended the EU’s proposed tariffs, stating that they are not punitive but are open for discussion.

He emphasized that dialogue is possible and urged for discussions to take place with China.

The preliminary duties on China-made EVs could come into effect next month, with full implementation by November.

EU and China trade officials have agreed to commence talks on tariff plans. In a statement on June 22, China’s commerce ministry mentioned a video call between Mr. Wang and Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commission’s trade commissioner.

“The two sides agreed to start consultations regarding the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation into China’s electric vehicles,” the statement added.

Brussels reiterated its commitment to engage with Beijing based on facts and respect for WTO rules.

The European Commission’s trade spokesperson, Olof Gill, affirmed that any outcome from the investigation must effectively address the issue of harmful subsidization.

“Both sides will continue discussions at different levels in the upcoming weeks,” he added.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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