Kuppenheim, Germany - October 21, 2024

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday spoke out against the additional tariffs imposed by the European Union (EU) on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), underscoring that "protectionism and trade wars are detrimental to us."

Speaking at the opening of the new Mercedes-Benz battery recycling factory in Kuppenheim, a city in the southwestern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Scholz noted that electrification is the future development trend of the auto industry, and that the EV technology is currently being developed all over the world.

He highly commented on China's excellent performance in the EV field, and reiterated Germany's opposition to imposing tariffs on electric cars imported from China.

On Oct 4, representatives from EU member states voted to approve the final ruling on the EU anti-subsidy case presented by the European Commission -- the executive arm of the 27-nation EU, which proposes the imposition of anti-subsidy duties on EVs imported from China.

After that, the German government and many German car companies expressed strong opposition to it. Scholz has repeatedly criticized publicly that erecting trade barriers does not keep European companies competitive.

Shotlist:
Kuppenheim, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany - Oct 21, 2024:
1. Various of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visiting new Mercedes-Benz battery recycling factory, attending opening ceremony;
2. SOUNDBITE (German)Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor (partially overlaid with shot 3):
"I have stated publicly and I would like to reaffirm hereby that I am against tariffs that would hurt ourselves. Protectionism and trade wars are detrimental to Germany. As an exporting country, we value open trade with the whole world. And that's why we don't need the best tariffs, but the best cars and the best technology.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
3. Various of battery recycling facilities;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Munich, Germany - Sept 6, 2023
4. Various of BYD electric vehicles on display;
5. Logo of BYD;
6. BYD electric vehicles on display;
7. Various of steering wheel, dashboard display in vehicle interior;
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Date Unknown
8. Various of EU flags in front of Berlaymont building, headquarters of European Commission.

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