Berlin urges rapid solution to EU-China trade tension

Germany called on Monday for a swift solution in tit-for-tat trade tensions between the European Union and China which, according to an unconfirmed press report, could lead to a Chinese tariff on some European car imports.

Berlin has always "emphatically" called on the EU Commission and China to seek an "amicable" solution through negotiation in the trade dispute and hopes that will be achieved "quickly", an economy ministry spokesman said.

Speaking at a regular government news briefing, he called the fact that the EU Commission and Beijing had opened talks a "first success".

Brussels imposed an 11.8-percent tariff on Chinese solar panels despite German-led opposition. The tax will rise to 47.6 percent in two months' time if there is no resolution of the dispute.

In response to the EU measures, Beijing announced on Wednesday that it had opened an anti-dumping probe into European wine.

French business daily Les Echos reported Friday that China was considering also imposing import tariffs on European luxury cars which would particularly hit Germany.

"To our knowledge there is no official confirmation by the Chinese side concerning luxury cars," the German economy ministry spokesman told reporters.

According to figures by the VDA German automobile federation, German carmakers dominate China's high-end car market, with an 80-percent share.