China asks Germany to oppose possible EU trade restrictions
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Germany to help steer the European Union away from protectionist measures against China, days before President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to the United States. China’s foreign ministry said Beijing and Brussels are strategic partners and should avoid a trade war.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has asked Germany to help prevent the European Union from adopting protectionist measures against China, the South China Morning Post reports. Wang made the appeal during a telephone conversation on Monday with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. The call took place days before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to the United States, according to the report.
A statement from China’s foreign ministry said China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners. Wang was quoted as saying that a trade war should not be fought between them. The supplied material does not specify which EU measures China is seeking to block or describe Germany’s response.
It presents Beijing’s request as an effort to influence the EU’s approach to trade with China before Xi’s high-profile US engagement.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.