Exclusive | In China, BMW bemoans EU tariffs, seeks compromise with policy changes
German carmaker is at the forefront of pending tariff talks between Brussels and Beijing
Profitability remains the main concern among European automakers in China, BMW’s China chief said, as cutthroat competition among carmakers within the country has added to the weighty external challenges brought by tariffs from the European Union.
Green said his company is also a tariff victim, as the China-made Mini series under the BMW umbrella is also subject to Brussels’ extra duties when exported to Europe. But he is holding out hope that dialogue yields common ground.
“We know the European Commission will visit China this week, and we hope they can have constructive discussions on how to find a compromise,” he said. “That’s in everyone’s benefit to have a more equal tariff situation.”
On Saturday, China’s commerce minister, Wang Wentao, also urged BMW to continue playing an “active role” in encouraging Brussels to reach a solution quickly, when meeting the company’s chairman, Oliver Zipse, in Beijing.
Wang said resolving the dispute could send a clear, positive signal to the world when global trade is being hampered by unilateralism and protectionism.