CHINA-EU: Scholz Says There Is Hope For A Tariff Agreement By End Of October

Wires carrying comments from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on negotiations with China over automotive tariffs.

• Von der Leyen said it "has to be level playing field... We are negotiating with China on what compensation could be, such as price commitments or investments in Europe," adding that "negotiations with China will continue even if tariffs enter into force."
• Scholz said there is a, "joint hope is that there will be agreement on China cars issue by end of October."
• Chinese officials departed Brussels on the weekend after three weeks of negotiations failed to deliver a compromise to an anti-subsidy push by the EU which will result in a 35.3% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles coming into force at the end of the month. The absence of a deal is likely to result in retaliatory trade actions from China.
• SCMP reports: "Talks aimed at reaching a deal have continued in the background, but negotiators remain miles apart, according to people familiar with the discussions."
• China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement over the weekend that negotiators had "made important progress in some areas," but "have not reached a solution acceptable to both sides."
• DW reports that, "China proposed that EVs exported to Europe should be sold at a minimum price of €30,000 ($32,000). Beijing had hoped this measure would avert the tariffs, which are due to be imposed next month. EU officials rejected the suggestion."