German Transport Minister Volker Wissing has expressed his opposition to possible European punitive tariffs on the import of electric cars from China.
"We don't want to seal off the market, we want to compete," the FDP politician told the Stuttgarter Zeitung and Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspapers, in remarks published on Wednesday.
The German government has an interest in ensuring that German companies continue to generate added value in the country and remain competitive in global trade, Wissing said.
"That is why we want international trade that takes place in a fair and standardized competitive environment and not a trade war through punitive tariffs."
According to Wissing, this is essential for a country like Germany, which relies heavily on global trade.
"We produce for the whole world, and we want to continue to do so in future. In terms of the quality of our products, we are in an excellent position internationally," said the minister.
Since last autumn, the European Commission has been investigating whether electric cars made in China are benefiting from illegal subsidies.
According to the commission, Chinese electric cars are normally around 20% cheaper than models built in the EU. The anti-subsidy investigation could now lead to punitive tariffs being imposed.