Oliver Blume: The VW boss is critical of the US President’s customs policy. Photo: Dpa, Bloomberg, AFP [M]
Davos. Many CEOs kept their distance in Davos: too sensitive, too volatile, too political. Oliver Blume does the opposite. In the middle of the World Economic Forum, the VW CEO faces questions about the new world order – and draws direct consequences for the company.
In response to US President Donald Trump’s appearance, Blume called for Europe to take a self-confident line in an interview with Handelsblatt. The EU responded “correctly” to the tariff threats from Washington, he says: “Europe has many strengths and can act with self-confidence. That’s why clear positions are important.”
At the same time, he ties new US investments to relief: “If the burden of tariffs remains unchanged, a large additional investment cannot be financed.” This also applies to a possible Audi plant in the USA.
Read the entire interview with Oliver Blume here:
Mr. Blume, you followed Donald Trump’s speech live in Davos. Are you relieved or worried? What was positive in the end was that the US President took the idea of additional tariffs off the table. Stable, reliable framework conditions are crucial for the industry. That’s why we continue to rely on dialogue and international cooperation – on both sides of the Atlantic.