German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the EU Commission for continuing to reach out to China for talks on the bloc's planned tariffs on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs).

"Of course we need to protect our economy from unfair trade practices - ideally with mutually agreed solutions. That is why it is good that the EU Commission continues to offer talks to the Chinese side" on the tariffs, said Scholz at an industry event organised by Germany's BDI industry lobby on Monday.

"But it is clear that we also need serious movement and progress from the Chinese side too." (Writing by Miranda Murray, Editing by Friederike Heine)