Germany’s Transport Minister Puts Competition Over Protection in Response to European Commission’s China Electric Vehicle Probe

Germany’s Transport Minister, Volker Wissing, has emphasized the country’s preference for equal competition over a trade war in response to the European Commission’s investigation into the import of electric cars from China. In an interview with Stuttgarter Zeitung and Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Wissing, who belongs to the FDP party, stressed that Germany aims to compete in the market rather than close it off. He highlighted the importance of creating an environment where companies can continue to add value domestically and maintain their competitive edge in international trade.

Wissing underscored the need for international trade to take place in an equal and standardized competitive environment to avoid escalating to a full-blown trade war through punitive tariffs. He pointed out that Germany, heavily reliant on global trade, produces goods for the entire world and aims to continue doing so with high-quality products that enjoy an excellent international reputation.

The European Commission initiated an investigation to determine if Chinese exporters of electric cars receive unfair advantages due to subsidies, resulting in Chinese vehicles being approximately 20 percent cheaper compared to those produced in the EU. The investigation may lead to punitive tariffs being imposed as a response. However, the German government remains committed to fostering fair competition in the international market to safeguard the interests and competitiveness of German companies.