Germany’s Scholz, China’s Xi Meet at G20

Scholz and Xi Discuss Key Issues at G20

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Chinese President Xi Jinping held significant discussions on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Tuesday. Their talks covered vital topics, including the EU’s proposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and the ongoing war in Ukraine, highlighting both collaboration and divergence between the two nations.

Scholz emphasized the importance of fair competition, calling for a “level playing field” in global economic activities. Xi, on the other hand, advocated for strengthening “strategic” and “long-term” ties between Germany and China, emphasizing the global influence both countries wield.

The meeting also addressed growing concerns over the potential economic fallout from the EU-China EV tariff dispute. German automakers have raised alarms that retaliatory measures could significantly impact Germany’s economy. Xi urged dialogue and negotiation to resolve the issue, signaling China’s openness to finding a solution.

Despite their economic cooperation, the leaders clashed on geopolitical issues, particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Scholz reaffirmed Germany’s strong support for Ukraine, a stance sharply opposed to China’s tacit backing of Russia. “Nobody should have to fear their neighbor,” Scholz stated, emphasizing the need for global stability and peace.

The discussions reflected the delicate balance of economic collaboration and political differences between the two nations, paving the way for continued engagement on these critical issues.