The European Commission president also said that Europe “must engage constructively with China – to find solutions in our mutual interest” despite escalating trade tensions between the two.
Brussels has provoked Beijing’s ire with a raft of probes targeting state subsidies in the green tech sector, as well as imposing tariffs on Chinese electric cars.
In a veiled reference to the European Union measures, Ding warned against “erecting green barriers that could disrupt normal economic and trade cooperation”.
MORE TRADE DEALS
On the campaign trail, Trump said he would impose extra customs duties on allies including the EU, as well as on China.
After his inauguration, Trump raised the possibility of imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
Von der Leyen reiterated her commitment to free trade during her speech, pointing to recent EU deals with Switzerland, Mexico and the South American bloc Mercosur.
She also said she and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to “upgrade” their partnership.
Scholz vowed to “defend free trade” with other partners, warning that “isolation comes at the expense of prosperity”.
“President Trump says ‘America First’ and he means it. There is nothing wrong with keeping your own country’s interests in mind,” Scholz said.
“It’s just that cooperation and understanding with others are usually in your own interest as well.”
It was probably Scholz’s last speech in Davos as chancellor ahead of German elections next month.
