VW CEO Blume talks trade, tech with Chinese ministers in Beijing

BEIJING/BERLIN – Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume discussed free and fair trade, the global economy and technology in meetings with China's industry and commerce ministers, according to statements by ministries and the automaker.

"The global economic development was one of the central issues. Free and fair trade between open markets is of utmost importance in this phase of major challenges," Blume said in a written statement following the July 19 meetings.

The European Union and China are in tense negotiations over tariffs proposed by the European Commission on China-made EVs, with China opening up tit-for-tat investigations into other goods while also urging the EU to drop its measures.

Germany's car industry, including VW Group, has spoke out against the tariffs, fearing retaliation in one of their biggest markets.

China welcomed VW deepening its foothold in China, according to the ministry statement.

The two sides also spoke about framework conditions for technologies such as autonomous driving and artificial intelligence, the statements said.

Germany and China last month signed a declaration of intent on how to discuss cross-border data transfers with the view of enabling automakers to transfer data to Germany, a contentious issue because of security concerns in Europe and restrictions on foreign companies in China.