France is “certain” that its push with Germany for a tougher EU China policy propelled Beijing to moderate its hybrid car exports, despite warnings from the Chinese capital that the pressure did not work.
“I’m certain that it played a role, and it’s very important that the German and French engine, which is very essential to the future of Europe, starts again – and I think that’s going to be the case,” French Trade Minister Nicolas Forissier said as he arrived at a ministerial meeting in Dublin on Friday.
Earlier this month, Berlin made a dramatic U-turn on its China policy, joining Paris – which has for years backed a more protectionist policy to counter distortions caused by Beijing’s model – in calling for tariffs, quotas and muscular new trade weapons.