Meeting Zheng Shanjie, chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, Habeck said the proposed EU tariffs were intended to level the playing field with China.
Zheng responded: “We will do everything to protect Chinese companies.”
Proposed EU import duties on Chinese-made EVs would hurt both sides, Zheng added. He told Habeck he hoped Germany would demonstrate leadership within the EU and “do the correct thing”.
He also denied the accusations of unfair subsidies, saying the development of China’s new energy industry was the result of comprehensive advantages in technology, market and industry chains, fostered in fierce competition.
The industry growth “is the result of competition, rather than subsidies, let alone unfair competition”, Zheng said during the meeting.
The EU provisional duties are set to apply by Jul 4, with the investigation set to continue until Nov 2, when definitive duties, typically for five years, could be imposed.
Habeck told Chinese officials the conclusions of the EU report should be discussed.
“It’s important now to take the opportunity that the report provides seriously and to talk or negotiate,” Habeck said.
After his meeting with Zheng, Habeck spoke with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, who said he would discuss the tariffs with EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on Saturday evening via videoconference.
