The Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Thursday that China and the European Union will restart negotiations on tariffs following European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic's visit to Beijing. Last year, the EU imposed tariffs on China's electric vehicles, while Beijing retaliated with levies on brandy coming from the EU.

According to the ministry, the two sides agreed to "resolve economic and trade differences through dialogue and consultation." Negotiations will start "as soon as possible" in order to create a good environment for promoting investment and industrial cooperation between Chinese and European companies, a ministry spokesperson added.