Wang Wentao: EU's Rollout of Economic and Trade Restriction Measures Damages China-EU Relations
Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with executives from Mercedes-Benz and Airbus, expressing strong concern that the EU's recent protectionist policies are causing substantial damage to China-EU trade relations. He urged European industries to advocate for a fair market environment.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 14:15
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 14:31 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 20:21 (5h 49m after Collected)
Central News
(CNA, Taipei, 24th) Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao stated during a meeting on the 23rd with Ola Källenius, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association and Chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Group, that the series of protectionist economic and trade restriction measures recently introduced by the EU has caused substantial damage to China-EU economic and trade relations.
According to the official website of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Wang Wentao met with Ola Källenius on the 23rd, stating that the current international economic and trade landscape is undergoing profound restructuring with increasing uncertainties and instability, and the automotive industry is also in the midst of a transition. This year is the opening year of the "15th Five-Year Plan" (2026-2030), and China will continue to expand high-level opening up, providing broad opportunities for foreign enterprises, including Mercedes-Benz, to take root in China and participate in global competition.
Wang Wentao emphasized that the proper resolution of the electric vehicle case between China and the EU sent a clear signal to the world that both sides have the willingness and ability to appropriately resolve differences through dialogue. The series of protectionist trade restriction measures recently rolled out by the EU has caused substantial damage to China-EU economic relations. The Chinese side has expressed solemn concerns and will firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
Wang Wentao expressed the hope that the Mercedes-Benz Group and the European automotive industry will actively speak out, urging the European side to adjust inappropriate provisions and create a fair, just, and non-discriminatory market environment for cooperation between Chinese and European enterprises.
According to Chinese sources, Källenius stated that Mercedes-Benz will continue to expand its investment in China and deepen cooperation with Chinese partners in fields such as automotive electrification and intelligentization. The European automotive industry values its cooperation with China and is willing to continue playing an active role in supporting the resolution of economic and trade frictions between Europe and China through dialogue and consultation.
Wang Wentao also met with Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury on the 23rd. Wang Wentao stated that the EU's recent tightening of economic and trade restrictions against China has damaged the confidence of state-owned enterprises in investing in Europe, severely affecting normal China-EU economic cooperation. He hopes Airbus will play a positive role in pushing the European side to meet China halfway and properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation.
The European Commission published a revised draft of the "Cybersecurity Act" in January this year, planning to gradually phase out components and equipment from high-risk suppliers in 18 critical industries. Observers interpret this move as targeting Huawei and other Chinese tech companies.
In March this year, the European Commission announced the "Industrial Accelerator Act" to promote the development of European manufacturing, particularly steel and automotive manufacturing. This act also attempts to address the massive investments from third countries, such as the impact of Chinese electric vehicles on the European automotive industry. (Editor: Chen Kaiyu / Zhu Jianling) 1150424
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(CNA, Taipei, 24th) Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao stated during a meeting on the 23rd with Ola Källenius, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association and Chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Group, that the series of protectionist economic and trade restriction measures recently introduced by the EU has caused substantial damage to China-EU economic and trade relations.
According to the official website of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Wang Wentao met with Ola Källenius on the 23rd, stating that the current international economic and trade landscape is undergoing profound restructuring with increasing uncertainties and instability, and the automotive industry is also in the midst of a transition. This year is the opening year of the "15th Five-Year Plan" (2026-2030), and China will continue to expand high-level opening up, providing broad opportunities for foreign enterprises, including Mercedes-Benz, to take root in China and participate in global competition.
Wang Wentao emphasized that the proper resolution of the electric vehicle case between China and the EU sent a clear signal to the world that both sides have the willingness and ability to appropriately resolve differences through dialogue. The series of protectionist trade restriction measures recently rolled out by the EU has caused substantial damage to China-EU economic relations. The Chinese side has expressed solemn concerns and will firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
Wang Wentao expressed the hope that the Mercedes-Benz Group and the European automotive industry will actively speak out, urging the European side to adjust inappropriate provisions and create a fair, just, and non-discriminatory market environment for cooperation between Chinese and European enterprises.
According to Chinese sources, Källenius stated that Mercedes-Benz will continue to expand its investment in China and deepen cooperation with Chinese partners in fields such as automotive electrification and intelligentization. The European automotive industry values its cooperation with China and is willing to continue playing an active role in supporting the resolution of economic and trade frictions between Europe and China through dialogue and consultation.
Wang Wentao also met with Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury on the 23rd. Wang Wentao stated that the EU's recent tightening of economic and trade restrictions against China has damaged the confidence of state-owned enterprises in investing in Europe, severely affecting normal China-EU economic cooperation. He hopes Airbus will play a positive role in pushing the European side to meet China halfway and properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation.
The European Commission published a revised draft of the "Cybersecurity Act" in January this year, planning to gradually phase out components and equipment from high-risk suppliers in 18 critical industries. Observers interpret this move as targeting Huawei and other Chinese tech companies.
In March this year, the European Commission announced the "Industrial Accelerator Act" to promote the development of European manufacturing, particularly steel and automotive manufacturing. This act also attempts to address the massive investments from third countries, such as the impact of Chinese electric vehicles on the European automotive industry. (Editor: Chen Kaiyu / Zhu Jianling) 1150424
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to guard press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, pictures, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.