Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao meets German auto industry association president Mueller
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On September 21, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Hildegard Mueller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), to discuss Sino-German auto industry cooperation and China-EU economic relations. Wang stated that the Chinese and German auto industries are deeply integrated with broad prospects for cooperation, welcoming German automakers to deepen their presence in China and jointly promote green and intelligent transformation. He expressed support for Chinese auto companies investing in Europe and called on Germany and the EU to create a fair, open, and non-discriminatory business environment. Wang emphasized that China is not the root of the EU's trade problems but a partner in solving them, and opposes protectionist measures that could lead to market closures. He urged the German auto industry association to encourage the German government and European Commission to engage in constructive dialogue. Mueller responded that China is a key market for production and innovation, not just sales, and that improving competitiveness is the solution for Germany's auto industry. She welcomed Chinese auto and parts companies to invest in Germany, advocated for open EU markets, and called for dialogue to avoid escalating trade frictions.
Source report
On the morning of September 21, Chinese 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 China-Germany automotive industry cooperation and China-EU economic and trade relations.
Key Points from Minister Wang Wentao
- Deep integration and broad prospects: Wang noted that the automotive industries of China and Germany are deeply interwoven with highly integrated interests, offering broad prospects for cooperation.
- Welcome to German automakers: He welcomed German auto companies to deepen their presence in the Chinese market and strengthen collaboration with Chinese partners to jointly promote the global automotive industry's transition toward green and intelligent development.
- Support for Chinese firms in Europe: The Chinese government supports Chinese auto companies in investing in Europe and hopes that Germany and the European Union will create a fair, open, and non-discriminatory business environment.
- Opposition to protectionism: Wang emphasized that China is not the root cause of the EU's economic and trade challenges, but rather a partner in jointly addressing them. He expressed hope that the EU would not choose a protectionist path that restricts or closes markets, leading to a global trend of market closure.
- Commitment to dialogue: China is committed to exploring solutions, including those related to 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 Association of the Automotive Industry to play an active role in encouraging the German government and the European Commission to work with China toward mutually acceptable and constructive solutions through dialogue and consultation.
Key Points from President Hildegard Müller
- China as a key partner: Müller stated that China is not only an important sales market for the German automotive industry but also a key partner in production and innovation.
- Competitiveness as the solution: She noted that enhancing competitiveness is the way for the German automotive industry to overcome current challenges, and welcomed Chinese auto and auto parts companies to invest in Germany, deepening the integration of the German-Chinese and EU-Chinese automotive supply chains.
- Commitment to fair competition: The German Association of the Automotive Industry firmly upholds a fair competitive market environment and advocates for the EU to maintain an open automotive market.
- Call for dialogue: She expressed hope that the EU and China would actively engage in dialogue and consultations to avoid an escalation of economic and trade frictions.
Source
商务部网站Eastern
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China Warns EU Against Auto Protectionism in Talks with German Industry Chief