Germany will no longer be blackmailed by China – Vice Chancellor Habeck

Record ID: 1688663

  • Title: Germany will no longer be blackmailed by China – Vice Chancellor Habeck
  • Date: 13th September 2022
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (SEPTEMBER 13, 2022) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF GERMAN VICE CHANCELLOR AND ECONOMY MINISTER, ROBERT HABECK, TALKING TO REUTERS REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN VICE CHANCELLOR AND ECONOMY MINISTER, ROBERT HABECK, SAYING: “If China sticks to the rules which enable values-led trade, China is a welcome trading partner. But we should no longer let ourselves be blackmailed, not when China meddles with trade fairness such as with state subsidies for companies, which gives them an advantage. Or when it blackmails companies, telling them they can only participate in trade if, for example, they set up a production plant in a particular location. And especially not if human rights are involved.” SPOTLIGHT NEXT TO LOGO OF ECONOMY AND CLIMATE PROTECTION MINISTRY HABECK IN HALLWAY DURING INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN VICE CHANCELLOR AND ECONOMY MINISTER, ROBERT HABECK, SAYING: “Chinese investments in Europe should be scrutinised much more closely. We have seen that with its new Silk Road initiative, China is trying to secure infrastructure assets in Europe, which will then allow it to influence European and German trade policies. We should not allow that to happen.” HABECK’S HANDS BEHIND MICROPHONE HABECK SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN VICE CHANCELLOR AND ECONOMY MINISTER, ROBERT HABECK, SAYING (on HAMBURG HARBOUR): “My tendency is that we should not allow it, because even though it is correct that the Tollerort container terminal makes up for only a small part of Hamburg harbour, China with its stake can have an influence over the trade and political course of Hamburg harbour. That’s why we analysed it and a lot of departments were involved. What’s missing is a cabinet meeting but overall, I believe we should be more critical about Chinese investments in Europe.”
  • Embargoed: 27th September 2022 15:01
  • Keywords: G7 Germany meeting German Vice Chancellor Economy Minister Robert Habeck Reuters exclusive interview
  • Location: BERLIN AND HAMBURG, GERMANY
  • City: BERLIN AND HAMBURG, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Europe,G7,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001497713092022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck on Tuesday (September 13) called for more scrutiny of Chinese investments in Europe and said Berlin should no longer be blackmailed by Beijing.
    In an interview with Reuters, Habeck said China was “a welcome trading partner.”
    “But we should no longer let ourselves be blackmailed, not when China meddles with trade fairness such as with state subsidies for companies which gives them an advantage or when it blackmails companies, telling them they can only participate in trade, if for example, they set up a production plant in a particular location.”
    Sources told Reuters last week the economy ministry was considering a raft of new measures to make business with China less attractive.
    This is the first time the minister has made clear the tougher line was being translated into policy measures.
    Habeck did not outline new measures in full, but said they would include closer examination of Chinese investments in Europe, such as infrastructure.
    China has been Germany's biggest trade partner for the past six years, with volumes reaching over 245 billion euros ($246 billion) in 2021.
    But the center-left government is taking a tougher line towards Beijing than its center-right predecessor, worried about Germany's dependence on Asia's economic superpower.
    Habeck warned that China through its Silk Road initiative was trying to gain influence in Europe by “trying to secure infrastructure assets.”
    “We should not allow that to happen,” said Habeck.
    The Green party minister said he was leaning towards opposing the planned Chinese stake in a part of Hamburg harbour’s container terminal after Chinese shipping giant Cosco expressed interest, signaling concerns about Chinese takeover deals are spreading out from the technology arena into other industry sectors, such as logistics.
    Habeck said a cabinet decision on the possible deal was still outstanding “but I believe we should be more critical about Chinese investments in Europe.”
    China has not joined the West in imposing sweeping sanctions on Moscow following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but has also not endorsed Moscow's actions as Beijing needs to maintain trade relations with Europe.
    Habeck will host the G7 trade ministers outside Berlin for a two-day meeting from Wednesday (September 14).
    ($1 = 0.9943 euros)
    (Production: Martin Schlicht, Fanny Brodersen, Michele Sani)
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