German economy minister says economic ties with China 'affected' by Russia's war in Ukraine

(22 Jun 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

AGENCY POOL
Shanghai, China - 22 June 2024
1. Wide of German Economy Minister Robert Habeck at lectern
2. Reporter
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Habeck, German Economy Minister: ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++
“I put it like this because of the war, now our economic relation (with China) is affected, already now. We try to diversify our supply chains because we cannot risk that we are in a strong dependency for raw materials, technical goods of any kinds that can be used against our own interests. And of course, we have to look through all kinds of exports and we will stop the export and the dual-use goods that are helping Russia to succeed in this war.”
4. Mid of Habeck and host on stage
5. SOUNDBITE (German) Robert Habeck, German Economy Minister:
"This means that the Russian war of aggression and the Chinese support for the Russian government are already damaging the trade and economic relationship between Europe and China. And that is an important message, that we must not confuse neutrality with taking sides against the security interests of the other country. That's how I see it, and that's what I suggested."
6. Reporter
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Habeck, German Economy Minister:
“The differentiation is very, very important and I try to explain it to my partners all day long. The differentiation is that these tariffs are not punitive tariffs, so like other countries have done just protecting their markets.”
8. Habeck
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Habeck, German Economy Minister:
“There is a possibility to argue or discuss them, and that is what I suggested to my Chinese partners today that the doors are open for discussions, and I hope that this message was heard. Tariffs aren’t meant to hurt you, so I don't want them. I hope nobody in Europe wants these tariffs.”
10. Wide of Habeck at lectern
STORYLINE:
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Saturday that Germany's economic relations with China have been “affected” by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Habeck also said Beijing’s support for Moscow has been “damaging” its trade ties with the European Union, as the bloc is contemplating tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles to countervail alleged excessive subsidies by Beijing.

Habeck was speaking to media in Shanghai during a three-day trip to China.

“Now we try to diversify our supply chains because we cannot risk that we are in a strong dependency for raw materials, technical goods of any kinds that can be used against our own interests,” Habeck said.

China has been Germany’s biggest single trading partner in recent years.

But Germany has been trying to avoid over-reliance on trade with an increasingly assertive China and diversify its supply of key goods in an approach it calls “de-risking,” which was outlined in its first-ever strategy on China issued last July.

Habeck said he has assured his Chinese counterpart that imposed tariffs are not “punitive.”

“There is a possibility to argue or discuss them,” he said.

The provisional tariff is expected to be put in place from July 4, according to media reports.

Habeck’s visit came only two months after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip to the country, during which Scholz called on Chinese leader Xi Jinping to pressure Russia to end its “insane campaign.”

The Chinese side gave no sign of any change in its position though.

China has broken with the West in refusing to criticize Russia’s invasion.


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