Chinese and European electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and experts called for global cooperation and opposing trade protectionism at the 2024 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC).
“With the strong development of advanced technologies, collaborative research and cooperation within the global industrial chain have become more important for the automobile industry,” Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Automotive Association, said at the congress on Saturday. the automotive industry (VDA).
“However, in 2024 we see a rise in protectionist sentiments globally. An example of this is the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles imported from China,” said Ms. Mueller.
“For the EU, imposing anti-subsidy tariffs is not a good response to the challenges facing the European automotive industry. On the contrary, it could easily escalate into a new trade conflict, triggering a spiral of protectionism,” she continued.
She said she believes that for any country and any region, any market, any industry, what is needed is simply an active industrial strategy, arguing that “Europe in particular must ensure that business conditions are improved.” .
According to her, “the German automotive industry stands firm on the principles of free and fair trade. We at the VDA will continue to advocate for open markets, globalization, international trade and investment and, above all, cooperation and continued dialogue.”
Gan Jiayue, CEO of Geely Auto Group, also called on the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry to strengthen collaboration to achieve mutual benefits.
“Some countries and regions are trying to restrict the application of Chinese NEVs by imposing customs duties and establishing additional technical standards,” Gan said at Saturday’s congress, asserting that “if it imposes customs duties “The EU will not only hinder China’s economic development, but also harm its own interests.”
“The automobile industry is an industry of global cooperation, and Geely has always adhered to free trade and fair competition,” he added.
Jochen Goller, member of the board of directors of BMW AG, also spoke at the conference, sharing his ideas on the transition to a low-carbon economy and global cooperation, and expressing optimism about the Chinese market VENs.
“The BMW Group firmly believes that technological openness is the only sustainable path to a carbon-neutral future, as we must meet the diverse needs of customers around the world and advance individual mobility towards a green future,” said Mr. . Goller in his speech.
BMW firmly believes that cooperation promotes prosperity and growth, he said, adding that to continue the unique success story of the automotive sector, key challenges need to be addressed and resolved jointly.
Organized under the theme “Low-carbon evolution and global cooperation”, WNEVC 2024 takes place from September 27 to 29 in Haikou, capital of China’s Hainan province (south).
