China warns of possible 'trade war' with EU as Germany's Habeck heads to Beijing

German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck speaks to reporters after he visits Panmunjom, the demilitarized zone between South Korea and North Korea, in Paju, South Korea, June 21, 2024.

Beijing warned on Friday that escalating frictions with the European Union over electric vehicle imports could trigger a trade war, as Germany's economy minister arrived in the Chinese capital with the proposed tariffs high on his agenda.