China - October 16, 2024

EU tariffs on Chinese EVs high on agenda of 8th Sino-German Automotive Conference

(Stand_Up)

Natalie Carney, Reporter:

"The theme of this congress is 'carbon neutrality and mobility of the future', however conversations have been steering towards the potential impact of the European Commission's decision to slap duties of up to 35 percent on imported Chinese-made electric vehicles.

Having invested billions of dollars in China, German automotive manufactures and suppliers have been apprehensive about these tariffs. In his push to get the German government to vote against them, BMW's CEO Oliver Zipse said the tariffs quote 'catalyse retaliatory response from China, thereby deepening the rift.' That concern has been echoed by many taking part."

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Matthias Muller, Founder, MM China Link:

"Germany has so much Business in China for the last decades and now China is moving forward, becoming the technology leader in many fields. The main message or take away is always cooperation instead of confrontation, that is relatively clear. You can see nobody likes the tariffs."

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Yang Chengzu, Vice President, Continental Group China:

"Sad story for both sides. I don't believe its only for china, the European consumer cannot get a cheaper car. Also see the German automotive industry against these activities."

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Dr. Tilo Steinmeier, Managing Director, C4 Laser Technology:

"Especially as Germans, the tariffs could kill our automotive industry. In some cases, some circumstance, tariffs are responsible if you have a really weak economy and need to protective internal market from too much influence from outside, but this is not the case in Germany."

(Voice_over)

In line with the theme of this congress, discussions have also touched on how Chinese EVs can help the European Union achieve it's green goals, transitioning away from internal combustion engines by 2035.

And that's a major focus driving cooperation, regardless of what comes next from the on-going trade dispute.

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