European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for Europe to take a firm stance against China’s perceived unfair trade practices, echoing similar sentiments expressed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
Ahead of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s upcoming visit to Beijing later this week, von der Leyen stressed the importance of ensuring that European companies receive the same level of market access in China as Chinese firms do in Europe, as reported by Reuters.
Furthermore, she urged Chancellor Scholz to adopt a tough approach in discussions with Chinese authorities regarding issues such as overcapacity and unfair competitive practices.
These statements follow Yellen’s remarks on Monday, where she indicated that the United States is considering various measures, including potential tariffs, against China over concerns about Beijing flooding international markets with inexpensive green energy products.
Despite these concerns, Berlin has been hesitant to impose tariffs on China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry due to fears of retaliation affecting Germany’s significant automotive sector, which represents a major source of exports to China.
Chancellor Scholz is scheduled to arrive in China on Sunday for a visit that will include meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
