05:17German Chancellor Olaf Scholz admitted that the situation regarding the EU's trade conflict with China over tariffs for electric vehicles remained 'unchanged' while Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demanded a 'level playing field' during a press conference in Berlin on Tuesday.
"I would like to say that this is unchanged. I also have the impression that our common hope is that there will be an agreement with China by the end of October," Scholz said. A reporter had asked the chancellor to comment on what he said was a 'rift' between China and the EU over punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Von der Leyen emphasised the importance of a 'fair' European market without 'distortions' through subsidised products. "This is about countervailing duties. That is very important, which are imposed in this very clear procedure. It's about creating fairness for Europe as a production location and that we have a level playing field," she stated.
The journalist went on to ask Scholz about his cooperation with von der Leyen and noted that the pair rarely appeared together before the press.
"Just because you throw a question into the room doesn't make it a fact, if I may be so bold. In any case, we talk very closely and often on the phone," Scholz responded.
Both Scholz and von der Leyen welcomed Serbia's lift of restrictions on exports to Kosovo with the commission president saying "this is a very concrete step to normalisation".
The comments come as the European Commission is set to introduce tariffs on Chinese EVs of up to 35% in addition to the 10% by the EU on car imports. In turn, China has introduced a tax on European-produced brandy, which the EU said will be challenged at the WTO. Beijing denounced the EU's move, calling it 'protectionist' and threatened with counter-measures.
'How is rift on Chinese EV tariffs affecting relations?' - Scholz admits issues 'unchanged' as VdL demands 'level playing field'
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz admitted that the situation regarding the EU's trade conflict with China over tariffs for electric vehicles remained 'unchanged' while Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demanded a 'level playing field' during a press conference in Berlin on Tuesday.
"I would like to say that this is unchanged. I also have the impression that our common hope is that there will be an agreement with China by the end of October," Scholz said. A reporter had asked the chancellor to comment on what he said was a 'rift' between China and the EU over punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Von der Leyen emphasised the importance of a 'fair' European market without 'distortions' through subsidised products. "This is about countervailing duties. That is very important, which are imposed in this very clear procedure. It's about creating fairness for Europe as a production location and that we have a level playing field," she stated.
The journalist went on to ask Scholz about his cooperation with von der Leyen and noted that the pair rarely appeared together before the press.
"Just because you throw a question into the room doesn't make it a fact, if I may be so bold. In any case, we talk very closely and often on the phone," Scholz responded.
Both Scholz and von der Leyen welcomed Serbia's lift of restrictions on exports to Kosovo with the commission president saying "this is a very concrete step to normalisation".
The comments come as the European Commission is set to introduce tariffs on Chinese EVs of up to 35% in addition to the 10% by the EU on car imports. In turn, China has introduced a tax on European-produced brandy, which the EU said will be challenged at the WTO. Beijing denounced the EU's move, calling it 'protectionist' and threatened with counter-measures.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz admitted that the situation regarding the EU's trade conflict with China over tariffs for electric vehicles remained 'unchanged' while Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demanded a 'level playing field' during a press conference in Berlin on Tuesday.
"I would like to say that this is unchanged. I also have the impression that our common hope is that there will be an agreement with China by the end of October," Scholz said. A reporter had asked the chancellor to comment on what he said was a 'rift' between China and the EU over punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Von der Leyen emphasised the importance of a 'fair' European market without 'distortions' through subsidised products. "This is about countervailing duties. That is very important, which are imposed in this very clear procedure. It's about creating fairness for Europe as a production location and that we have a level playing field," she stated.
The journalist went on to ask Scholz about his cooperation with von der Leyen and noted that the pair rarely appeared together before the press.
"Just because you throw a question into the room doesn't make it a fact, if I may be so bold. In any case, we talk very closely and often on the phone," Scholz responded.
Both Scholz and von der Leyen welcomed Serbia's lift of restrictions on exports to Kosovo with the commission president saying "this is a very concrete step to normalisation".
The comments come as the European Commission is set to introduce tariffs on Chinese EVs of up to 35% in addition to the 10% by the EU on car imports. In turn, China has introduced a tax on European-produced brandy, which the EU said will be challenged at the WTO. Beijing denounced the EU's move, calling it 'protectionist' and threatened with counter-measures.