"Rising tension: German carmakers fear China retaliation, EU trade chief denies decoupling, and Europe worries about data protection law"

German carmakers are concerned about potential retaliation from China if the EU imposes duties on Chinese electric vehicles as part of an anti-subsidy investigation. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck acknowledged a divide between Germany and France on the issue, with France having less to lose due to fewer car sales in China. Habeck stated that German automakers fear counter-action if the European Commission finds evidence of illegal state aid and imposes anti-subsidy duties on Chinese electric vehicles. German industry officials had previously highlighted the diverging interests between Berlin and Paris, but this is the first time a senior German official has openly admitted the divide.