REUTERSFlags of European Union and China are pictured during the China-EU summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, July 12, 2016. China warns EU over electric vehicle tariffsGerman economy minister Habeck arrives in China on 3-day visitHabeck criticises Berlin's China strategy as outdatedGerman exports to China fell in May, as shipments to US rose"The European side continues to escalate trade frictions and could trigger a 'trade war'," a statement attributed to the Chinese commerce ministry's spokesperson said. At a reception at the German embassy in Beijing, Habeck expressed dissatisfaction with Berlin's current China strategy as outlined by a document released last July after months of coalition wrangling. "This is a German government's China strategy, so what is missing is the European approach," he said, adding that an update would be required "sooner or later". Germany's 60 billion euros ($64 billion) of trade with China in the first quarter of 2024 was less than the 63-billion-euro total volume of US-German trade.
