With billions of dollars in trade between China and the European Union at stake, Germany¡¯s second-highest Cabinet official called Saturday for the two sides to engage in talks to try to resolve an escalating dispute over tariffs.

Robert Habeck, Germany¡¯s vice chancellor and minister for economic affairs and climate, said that he expected talks to begin soon between China and European officials. He expressed a hope that tariffs could be avoided.

Still, he added that tariffs could be justified if the European Commission¡¯s concerns about China¡¯s subsidies for its electric car industry were not resolved.