China seeks German help to stave off EU trade sanctions days before Xi-Trump summit
Phone call between Wang Yi and Johann Wadephul underlines Beijing’s push to protect European partnerships alongside US relations
According to a statement from China’s foreign ministry, Wang said open dialogue was the viable way to address each other’s concerns and encouraged Brussels to “stay on the right track of open cooperation, dialogue and consultation”.
He also called on Berlin to “maintain a rational and pragmatic approach” and play a positive role within the EU in “promoting the upholding of free trade and rejecting protectionism”.
EU leaders are scheduled to meet in mid-October to assess the bloc’s trade deficit with China and consider new policy tools to counter what Brussels views as unfair Chinese trade practices.
