Volkswagen-Boss Oliver Blume (56) has given the customs dispute between Europe and China advocated unhindered trade relations in Beijing. During talks with China’s trade and industry ministers on Friday, he said free and fair trade was of utmost importance in the current situation. The discussions also discussed global economic developments. He also spoke about the regulatory environment for new technologies such as autonomous driving or the use of artificial intelligence in cars.
The EU Commission has imposed provisional import duties on electric cars from China and justified them with unfair competitive advantages through high subsidies for electric cars from China. This endangers European car manufacturers and their conversion to electromobility. China sharply criticized the move and brought countermeasures into play.
European car manufacturers such as VW also benefit from the tariff surcharge BMW affected because they import some models from the People’s Republic to Europe. The German auto industry rejects the tariffs and fears retaliation in its most important sales market, China.