Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, in Beijing on Saturday.
At their meeting, the two sides exchanged views on topics including the German carmaker's cooperation with China and the European Union (EU)'s anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).
Wang pointed out that the unilateral and protectionist actions taken by certain countries have brought significant uncertainty to the global economy. He emphasized that China hopes to work with the European side to become a pillar of the multilateral trading system so as to inject certainty and stability into the world.
China is committed to opening up its market to the world, and China's policies are consistent, Wang said, noting that the Chinese government will further advance high-level opening-up and optimize the business environment.
Wang said that properly resolving the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs is of significant importance, as it will send a clear and positive signal to the world.
China is committed to resolving differences through dialogue, he said, expressing the hope that the German carmaker will continue to play an active role in promoting the European side to demonstrate political will and work with China to find mutually acceptable solutions at an early date.
"During your visit today, we can have an in-depth exchange of views on BMW's development in China, China-EU relations, and the global environment," said Wang.
Zipse emphasized that Europe's green transformation cannot be achieved without cooperation with China, and his company remains optimistic about China's economic prospects and is confident in its development in the Chinese market, he said.
The company is committed to expanding its investment in China and accelerating the localization of production as well as research and development, Zipse said.
Noting that there are only losers and no winners in a tariff war, Zipse said the company firmly opposes the EU imposing additional tariffs on Chinese EVs and hopes that both the EU and China can properly resolve their differences.
"It seems that tariffs are a new language the world would like to speak. That is true for Europe, but that is even more so for the United States. We would like to underline again, and we've done that before, that we are a company who fosters free trade and cooperation and open discussion on disputes, whatever that is. Tariffs will always have two losers and no winner," said Zipse.
Chinese commerce minister meets BMW CEO on investment cooperation
Chinese commerce minister meets BMW CEO on investment cooperation
