Merkel wants negotiation on solar panel tariffs

German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a state dinner for visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at Meseberg Manor on Sunday night following talks on trade tariffs.

With a potential trade war looming, Merkel said earlier that she would seek to use her country's economic clout to try to stop the European Union from imposing punitive tariffs on some Chinese products. Merkel told Premier Li Keqiang that she would lobby for "intense talks" between the EU and China to seek a negotiated solution as swiftly as possible.

The European Commission is proposing anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar panel imports. Li Keqiang sharply criticised the EU's approach, calling it trade protectionism.