Finance
China's Commerce Minister Met EU Automakers' Industry Group Chair Kallenius in Beijing
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 24, 2026
1 min readLast updated: April 24, 2026
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China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Mercedes‑Benz chair and EAMA head Ola Källenius in Beijing on April 24 to discuss industrial cooperation amid electric‑vehicle trade tensions with the EU. Wang expressed hope for resolution and urged automakers to help ease commercial strains.
China and EU Auto Chiefs Discuss Trade Cooperation, Eyeing Electric Vehicle Dispute
China-EU Trade Talks on Electric Vehicles and Industrial Cooperation
High-Level Meeting in Beijing
BEIJING, April 24 (Reuters) - China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met Ola Kallenius, chair of Mercedes-Benz and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, in Beijing on Thursday, according to a Friday readout, for talks on industrial cooperation and trade curbs.
Addressing Trade Tensions
Wang said trade tensions between China and the EU over electric vehicles could be resolved, and that Beijing hoped Mercedes-Benz and the European automotive industry would use their influence within the bloc to help improve commercial ties.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Key Takeaways
- •China sees opportunity to resolve EV trade tension with EU and hopes Mercedes‑Benz and European carmakers will use their influence to improve ties (english.mofcom.gov.cn)
- •The meeting aligns with broader China‑EU efforts to explore price‑commitment alternatives to tariffs on Chinese EVs, signaling increased diplomatic engagement (investing.com)
- •Amidst the dispute, China and the EU have recently agreed on steps involving minimum import price guidance to defuse the EV import conflict citeturn0news11
References
Frequently Asked Questions about China's commerce minister met EU automakers' industry group chair Kallenius in Beijing
1Who met with China's Commerce Minister in Beijing?
Ola Kallenius, chair of Mercedes-Benz and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, met with China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing.
2What topics were discussed during the meeting?
The meeting covered industrial cooperation and trade curbs between China and the European Union.
3What is the key trade issue between China and the EU?
There are ongoing trade tensions over electric vehicles between China and the EU.
4What did China's commerce minister hope to achieve?
Wang Wentao expressed hope that Mercedes-Benz and the EU automotive industry would help improve commercial ties within the European bloc.
5When and where did the meeting take place?
The meeting took place in Beijing on Thursday, April 24.
