China, Germany vow to work together on driverless cars amid US protectionism
Chancellor Angela Merkel faces delicate balancing act during two-day trip to China as long-standing issues, including over human rights, remain
China and Germany on Thursday vowed to boost cooperation on driverless cars and were united in their opposition to US President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policies, but they remain at odds over Beijing’s heavy-handed approach to human rights cases.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel faced a delicate balancing act as she began her two-day visit to China – a trip clouded by Trump’s trade threats that could harm German carmakers and his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal that may threaten security in Europe.
But as Trump’s isolationist path brings Beijing and Berlin closer, the long-standing issues remain – market access, China’s alleged practice of forced technology transfers and divide and conquer tactics among smaller European Union nations.
On the trade front, the two sides will sign a memorandum of understanding to work together on new auto technology, including self-driving cars, Merkel said at a joint press briefing with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, adding that Germany wanted to ensure they had equal access to each other’s markets.
Li said China welcomed German manufacturers of autonomous vehicles to invest in the country, adding that Beijing had already lowered market entry requirements for new energy vehicles.