Exploring Germany's Habeck's trip to China, EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, and efforts by Germany to reconcile trade tensions with China. Analysis of German political figures promoting deindustrialization, shifts in economic strategies, and the Green Party's voter support in Germany.
EU plans high tariffs on Chinese EVs causing strain in EU-China trade relations
US pressure leads EU to consider disengaging from China, risking economic repercussions
Deep dives
Tensions Between Europe, Germany, and China
Europe faces a looming trade war with China, with the EU planning to impose 38% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. German Vice Chancellor's recent trip to Beijing to address the situation did not go as planned, with the Chinese premier not meeting him. The trip highlighted strained relationships and blame-shifting, with Habek attributing the tension to Russia. The German car industry, which heavily exports to China, opposes these tariffs.
Economic Disengagement and Trade War with China
The EU's tariffs on Chinese imports, aimed at safeguarding Europe's EV industry, may backfire due to declining demand for electric vehicles. In response, China is imposing tariffs on imports like pork and restricting machine tool imports from Europe. The move towards disengagement with China is driven by US pressure to reduce economic ties, leading to economic repercussions for Europe while benefiting China.
Political Agendas Impacting Trade Relationships
German political figures' criticisms of China, such as labeling Xi Jinping a dictator, have strained relations further. Political agendas, including calls to end economic ties with China, align with certain parties' ideologies. Deindustrialization and blaming external factors like Russia serve these agendas, despite potential negative impacts on Germany's economy and relationships with major trading partners like China.