Shortly before the decisive vote in the EU on European punitive tariffs against electric cars from China, possibly this Friday, there is unity in appeals in Germany from the IG Metall union to the CEO of Mercedes, Ola Källenius. Everyone is against the tariffs and warns of a trade conflict with China. “We reject the planned import tariffs and call on the federal government to vote against the introduction of the tariffs. “With a view to the future prospects for hundreds of thousands of employees at German automobile manufacturers and their suppliers, we say unequivocally: the tariffs are the wrong approach because they do not improve the competitiveness of the European automobile industry,” said a joint statement from IG Metall chairwoman Christiane Benner and the general works council chairman of all German car manufacturers. “The tariffs are the wrong approach.” What is demanded is that the EU and China “do everything they can to find solutions through negotiations for a fair competitive environment on the international automobile markets.” The union representatives concluded that everyone would lose in an escalating trade conflict. What is required is a CO2-oriented trading and funding regime that would advance regional and local value chains. In order to display external content, your revocable consent is required. Personal data from third-party platforms (possibly USA) may be processed. More information. Activate external contentThe representatives of IG Metall are also concerned about the indirect consequences of possible punitive tariffs by the EU against Chinese electric cars – the incentive for Chinese manufacturers to set up car production within the EU. In this case, the union representatives demand that components manufactured in Europe must also be installed in these factories. In this way, a German and European supplier industry could also benefit and innovations could take place more in Europe. “The introduction of the planned measures and a potentially resulting trade conflict would complicate our transformation, harm climate protection and endanger jobs in the long term,” argues the CEO of Mercedes -Benz, Ola Källenius. The EU should seek a negotiated solution with China instead of imposing tariffs. “A no vote from the federal government on Friday would be a signal for such a negotiated solution, instead of a trade conflict.” to reduce existing trade barriers in accordance with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Tariffs will not help us with Europe’s important challenges – competitiveness, transformation and digitalization.” What is important is fair and, above all, free world trade, which drives innovation and growth. “A vote of the EU states, high additional ones from the end of October Imposing tariffs on electric cars from China would be a further step away from global cooperation,” warns Hildegard Müller, President of the German Automotive Industry Association (VDA). With a decision on punitive tariffs, the risk of a global trade conflict would grow, which would particularly affect Germany as an export nation.More on the topicThe VDA President is against the EU Commission and its subsidy report on the Chinese auto industry: With a view to the original goals of the investigation, that is The resulting result is not convincing. German and European manufacturers that export from China to the EU would be burdened with higher tariffs than individual competitors from China and the USA – an incomprehensible result for Müller. “The federal government must take a clear position on Friday – and not agree, but reject says Müller. Abstention is not an option. At the same time, the German government must demand constructive negotiations from all parties involved. The German automotive industry is committed to free and fair trade, and the extent and type of state support in China therefore represents a challenge. Therefore, solutions must be found in constructive discussions in which both sides, both China and the EU, approach each other. As the German Press Agency reports, the federal government will vote against the tariffs on Friday. After disagreements in the traffic light coalition made up of the SPD, Greens and FDP, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) wanted to use his directive authority for the vote. A sufficient majority of countries can prevent the measure, but this has not recently become apparent.
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