A top Volkswagen China executive criticized using tariffs against free trade and pointed to the solid fundamentals in the Chinese market as the 2025 Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, or Auto Shanghai, kicks off on Wednesday.
Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen China Passenger Cars Brand, pointed out that tariff is not the correct answer to "free trade, good exchanges, and open market" in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Shanghai on the sidelines of Auto Shanghai.
"What we advocate as a global company is fair trade, open trade, open markets, rule-based systems. So, we really hope that we'll get back to a truly globalized economy. Tariff is not the answer to free trade and to good exchange and open market," he said.
Mecha said he is upbeat about the potential of the huge Chinese market, noting that its fundamentals are still solid.
"In the first quarter, if you just look at the numbers, automotive sales have grown year on year, passenger cars by around five percent, so over five million cars in the total market. So this first of all speaks for itself. So the market is growing. Now when you look into the GDP of the first quarter and also in China, 5.4 percent for such a sizable economy. We truly believe that we are here in a good spot because the market is growing, consumption is still strong and what we really see the Chinese market, that the government has put very decisive measures on the road and to support consumption and this helps us in the automotive industry big time. So I think from this end, the overall circumstances in a very difficult environment, we know this also in our industry, I would say from the macroeconomic factors are still very solid and very good," he said.
Volkswagen China top executive criticizes using tariffs against free trade
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
