China presses EU auto industry for trade dialogue amid looming tariff dispute
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held separate meetings on September 21 with the heads of the European and German auto industry associations, urging dialogue to resolve trade differences. Wang called on the EU to avoid protectionism and work toward a WTO-compliant solution. Both ACEA and VDA leaders reaffirmed support for free trade and open markets.
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China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao Holds Video Call with ACEA Chairman on EU Auto Trade
On September 21, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video call with Ola Källenius, Chairman of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) and Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group. The two sides exchanged views on China-EU economic and trade relations and automotive industry cooperation. Minister Wang stated that China is willing to work with the European side within the framework of the trade and investment consultation mechanism to properly resolve differences through dialogue, ensuring the stability of China-EU economic and trade relations and injecting certainty into the global economy. He expressed hope that ACEA would play an active role in encouraging the European side to work in the same direction as China, aiming to reach a solution that complies with WTO rules and respective domestic laws while accommodating the interests of both industries.
Read sourceChina's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao Holds Video Call with European Auto Industry Leaders on Trade Cooperation
On September 21, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video call with Ola Källenius, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) and Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group, to exchange views on China-EU economic relations and automotive industry cooperation. Wang stated that China and the EU, as the world's two major economies, should adhere to cooperation and maintain mutual market openness. He expressed China's willingness to properly resolve differences through dialogue under the framework of trade and investment consultation mechanisms, ensuring stable China-EU economic relations and injecting certainty into global economic development. Wang called on the European auto industry association to play an active role in promoting the EU side to work with China toward an early solution that complies with WTO rules and respective domestic laws while accommodating the interests of both industries. Wang emphasized that China is the world's largest auto market and that the automotive industry is a key area of China-Germany and China-EU economic cooperation. He reiterated China's commitment to high-level opening up, welcoming European automakers including Mercedes-Benz to expand investment in China and deepen innovation cooperation with Chinese partners to jointly promote the green, intelligent, and integrated development of the global automotive industry.
Read sourceChina's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao Holds Video Call with European Auto Industry Chief
On September 21, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video call with Ola Källenius, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) and Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group, to discuss China-EU economic and trade relations and automotive industry cooperation. Wang stated that China and the EU, as the world's two major economies, should uphold cooperation and maintain mutual market openness. He expressed China's willingness to resolve differences through dialogue under the trade and investment consultation mechanism, ensuring stable China-EU economic relations and injecting certainty into the global economy. Wang urged the European auto industry to play a positive role in pushing the EU to work with China toward a solution compliant with WTO rules and respective domestic laws. He noted that China is the world's largest auto market and welcomes European automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, to expand investment and deepen innovation cooperation. Källenius reaffirmed ACEA's strong support for free trade and market openness, welcomed Chinese auto and parts companies to invest in Europe, and pledged the association's role in facilitating dialogue. He stated that Mercedes-Benz believes only by deeply cultivating the Chinese market can it establish a global foothold, and is willing to expand investment and deepen cooperation with Chinese partners.
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China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao Meets German Auto Industry Head, Discusses Cooperation and EU Trade Environment
On the morning of September 21, China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). The two sides exchanged views on Sino-German automotive industry cooperation and China-EU economic and trade relations. Minister Wang stated that the automotive industries of China and Germany are deeply interwoven with highly integrated interests, offering broad prospects for cooperation. He welcomed German automakers to continue deepening their presence in the Chinese market and to strengthen collaboration with Chinese partners to jointly promote the global automotive industry's transition toward green and intelligent development. Wang also expressed that the Chinese government supports Chinese automakers in investing in Europe and hopes that Germany and the European Union will create a fair, open, and non-discriminatory business environment for them. The meeting underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts to manage trade tensions in the automotive sector between China and the EU.
Read sourceChinese Commerce Minister Meets German Auto Industry Head, Urges Dialogue on EU Trade Issues
On September 21, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), in Beijing. The two sides discussed Sino-German automotive industry cooperation and broader China-EU economic and trade relations. Minister Wang emphasized that China is not the root cause of the EU's trade problems but a partner in jointly finding solutions. He expressed hope that the EU would not resort to protectionist measures that restrict or close markets, leading to global market fragmentation. Wang stated China's commitment to resolving issues, including those in the automotive sector, within the framework of the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism, based on principles of compliance, balance, and non-discrimination. He called on the German automotive association to play an active role in encouraging the German government and the European Commission to work with China towards mutually acceptable and constructive solutions through dialogue and consultation.
Chinese Commerce Minister Meets German Auto Industry Chief, Discusses Trade Cooperation
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), on September 21 in Beijing to discuss Sino-German auto industry cooperation and China-EU economic relations. Wang emphasized the deep integration and broad prospects of the two countries' auto sectors, welcoming German automakers to deepen their presence in China and collaborate on green and intelligent transformation. He expressed support for Chinese auto companies investing in Europe and called for a fair, open, and non-discriminatory business environment from Germany and the EU. Wang stressed that China is not the root of EU economic problems but a partner in solving them, opposing protectionism and market closure. He urged dialogue within the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism to find balanced solutions. Müller stated that China is a key market and innovation partner for Germany, and that improving competitiveness is the way forward for the German auto industry. She welcomed Chinese auto and parts companies to invest in Germany, advocated for open EU markets, and called for dialogue to avoid trade friction escalation.
Read sourceChina Commerce Minister Wang Wentao Meets German Auto Industry Association President Hildegard Müller
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), on September 21 in Beijing. The two sides discussed Sino-German auto industry cooperation and China-EU economic and trade relations. Wang stated that the Chinese and German auto industries are deeply interwoven with highly integrated interests, offering broad prospects for cooperation. He welcomed German automakers to deepen their presence in the Chinese market and partner with Chinese firms to drive the global auto industry's green and intelligent transformation. Wang emphasized that China is not the root of the EU's trade problems but a partner in solving them, and expressed hope that Germany and the EU would create a fair, open, and non-discriminatory business environment. He warned against protectionism and market closure, urging dialogue within the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism. Müller responded that China is a key sales market and a crucial partner in production and innovation for Germany. She stated that improving competitiveness is the way out for the German auto industry, welcomed Chinese auto and parts companies to invest in Germany, and called for the EU to keep its auto market open while avoiding escalation of trade frictions.
Read sourceChina Commerce Minister Wang Wentao Holds Video Call with European Auto Industry Association Chair
On September 21, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video call with Ola Källenius, Chairman of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group. Wang emphasized that China and the EU, as major global economies, should uphold cooperation and maintain market openness. He expressed China's willingness to resolve differences through dialogue under the trade and investment consultation mechanism, aiming to stabilize China-EU economic relations and provide certainty for the world economy. Wang called on ACEA to encourage the EU side to work with China toward a solution compliant with WTO rules and respective domestic laws, while accommodating the interests of both industries. He noted that China is the world's largest auto market and that the auto industry is a key area of China-Germany and China-EU economic cooperation. Wang reaffirmed China's commitment to high-level opening-up, welcoming European automakers including Mercedes-Benz to expand investment and deepen innovation cooperation in green, smart, and integrated development. Källenius reaffirmed ACEA's strong support for free trade and market openness, welcoming Chinese auto and parts companies to invest in Europe. He pledged the association's active role in facilitating dialogue and resolving trade differences. Mercedes-Benz, he stated, believes that deep engagement in the Chinese market is essential for global success and intends to expand investment and deepen cooperation with Chinese partners.
Read sourceChinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao Holds Video Call with European Auto Industry Chief
On September 21, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video call with Ola Källenius, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association and Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group, to discuss China-EU economic and trade relations and automotive industry cooperation. Wang emphasized that China and the EU, as major global economies, should uphold cooperation and maintain mutual market openness. He expressed China's willingness to resolve differences through dialogue under the trade and investment consultation mechanism, aiming for a solution that complies with WTO rules and domestic laws while benefiting both sides. Wang noted that China is the world's largest auto market and that the automotive sector is a key area of China-Germany and China-EU cooperation. He reiterated China's commitment to high-level opening-up, welcoming European automakers like Mercedes-Benz to expand investment and deepen innovation partnerships for green, smart, and integrated development. Källenius affirmed the association's strong support for free trade and market openness, welcomed Chinese auto and parts companies to invest in Europe, and pledged to facilitate dialogue to resolve trade differences. He stated that Mercedes-Benz believes deep engagement in the Chinese market is essential for global success and plans to expand investment and cooperation with Chinese partners.
Read sourceChinese Commerce Minister and European Auto Industry Head Discuss Trade, Investment Cooperation
On September 21, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video call with Ola Källenius, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) and Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group. The two sides exchanged views on China-EU economic and trade relations and automotive industry cooperation. Wang stated that China and the EU, as major global economies, should uphold cooperation and maintain mutual market openness. He expressed China's willingness to resolve differences through dialogue under the framework of trade and investment consultation mechanisms, aiming to stabilize bilateral economic ties and provide certainty for the world economy. Wang called on ACEA to play an active role in pushing the EU to work with China to reach a solution that complies with WTO rules and domestic laws while accommodating the interests of both industries. He noted that China is the world's largest auto market and that the automotive sector is a key area of China-Germany and China-EU cooperation. Wang reiterated China's commitment to high-level opening-up, welcoming European automakers like Mercedes-Benz to expand investment and deepen innovation cooperation in China. Källenius affirmed ACEA's strong support for free trade and open markets, welcoming Chinese auto and parts companies to invest in Europe. He pledged the association's active role in facilitating dialogue and resolving trade differences. He stated that Mercedes-Benz believes deep engagement in the Chinese market is essential for global success and expressed willingness to expand investment and cooperation with Chinese partners.
Read sourceChinese Commerce Minister Meets German Auto Industry Head, Urges Fair EU Market Access
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), on September 21. Wang emphasized the deep integration and broad cooperation prospects of the Sino-German auto industry, welcoming German companies to deepen their presence in China and collaborate on green and intelligent transformation. He stated that China supports Chinese automakers investing in Europe and called on Germany and the EU to create a fair, open, and non-discriminatory business environment. Wang stressed that China is not the root of EU trade problems but a partner in solving them, opposing protectionism and market closure. He urged dialogue under the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism to find balanced solutions. Müller responded that China is a key market and innovation partner for Germany, and that improving competitiveness is the way forward for the German auto industry. She welcomed Chinese auto and parts companies to invest in Germany, advocated for open EU markets, and called for dialogue to avoid trade friction escalation.
Read sourceChina's Commerce Minister and European Auto Industry Chief Discuss Trade Cooperation
On September 21, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video call with Ola Källenius, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association and Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group, to exchange views on China-EU economic and trade relations and automotive industry cooperation. Wang stated that China and the EU, as the world's two major economies, should uphold cooperation and maintain mutual market openness. He expressed China's willingness to resolve differences through dialogue under the trade and investment consultation mechanism, ensuring stable China-EU economic relations and injecting certainty into the global economy. Wang called on the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association to play an active role in pushing the EU side to work with China toward a solution that complies with WTO rules, respects domestic laws, and accommodates the interests of both industries. He noted that China is the world's largest auto market and that the automotive sector is a key area of China-Germany and China-EU economic cooperation. China is committed to high-level opening-up and welcomes European automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, to expand investment and deepen innovation cooperation in China to promote green, smart, and integrated development of the global auto industry. Källenius stated that the association firmly supports free trade and market openness, welcomes Chinese auto and parts companies to invest in Europe, and will support dialogue and consultation to resolve trade differences. He emphasized that Mercedes-Benz believes only by deeply cultivating the Chinese market can it succeed globally and is willing to further expand investment and deepen cooperation with Chinese partners.
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