France ‘certain’ united front with Germany pushed China into hybrid car deal

AI Summary

France says its coordinated push with Germany for a tougher European Union policy toward China helped persuade Beijing to moderate hybrid-car exports. The claim comes amid disagreement over whether European pressure influenced China's decision.

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...