China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao called on the European Union to keep its markets open to Chinese automakers and avoid protectionism to ensure a “fair, open and non-discriminatory” environment.

“China is not the source of the EU’s economic and trade problems, but a partner in solving them,” Wang said in a statement from the ministry after his September 21 meeting with German Association of the Automotive Industry President Hildegard Müller. “We don’t want to see the EU turn to protectionism, restrict or close its markets, leading to markets around the world shutting themselves off from one another.”

Wang’s statement comes amid Germany’s preparations for economic-security measures to shield strategic industries from China, potentially including new tariffs on hybrid electric vehicles and stronger export controls. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government is targeting cabinet approval for the package on October 14 before seeking broader EU support. 

Beijing is committed to seeking solutions to trade issues involving the auto sector through a China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism, Wang said during the meeting with Müller.

In a separate video call later on Monday with Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Wang said the auto industry is a key area of China-EU cooperation and urged both sides to keep markets open. He welcomed Mercedes-Benz and other European automakers to expand investment in China. Källenius is also the president of industry group European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. 

EU leaders plan to meet next month to discuss the trade deficit with China and possible new instruments to strike back against Beijing’s trade practices. Beijing and Brussels have agreed to set an October deadline to make progress on trade disagreements.