According to foreign media reports, as the EU is about to impose tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has publicly opposed EU restrictions on car trade with China.
Scholz said on June 8 that the German automobile industry is benefiting from China’s business and that if China-EU trade remains “fair and free,” the German automobile industry will be able to compete with automakers in Asian countries.
Following an investigation into China’s electric vehicle subsidies, the EU is expected to announce tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles this month.
If China takes countermeasures, it will have the biggest impact on German car companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and BMW.
Photo source: Volkswagen, Scholz said at an event organized by Stellantis subsidiary Opel in Ruesselsheim, Germany: “Isolated and illegal tariff barriers will ultimately only make everything more expensive and make everyone poorer.
We will not close our markets to foreign companies, and we do not want our companies to encounter similar challenges.
“, Germany’s powerful auto industry opposes imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and says business dealings with China can boost employment in Germany.
Herbert Diess, former CEO of Volkswagen, said earlier this month that escalating trade frictions would exacerbate inflation and delay the electrification transition.
Just as the European Union is about to make a decision on tariffs, sales growth of electric vehicles in Europe is slowing down, and car companies including Volkswagen Group and Mercedes-Benz have adjusted their plans to release new electric vehicles.
Scholz said the German automotive industry should continue to transform to pure electric vehicles to ensure that it remains competitive in the next few years.
He said: “Doubts about progress, delays in updates and changes will have painful consequences.
If we do this, others will overtake us.
“, Return to the first electric network home page>,.
