Mercedes-Benz chairman calls for cutting customs duties on Chinese E-cars

Mercedes-Benz, a luxury car manufacturer in Germany, called this week for a reduction in customs duties imposed on Chinese electric cars in the European Union market.

Ola Kallenius, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mercedes-Benz Group, told the Financial Times that protectionism will not lead to long-term success.

Kallenius’s comments come at a time when anti-subsidies for Chinese electric cars are being investigated in the European Union.

Kallenius also believes that protectionism is the wrong way to respond to increasing Chinese electric vehicle imports into the EU.

He also believes that lowering tariffs on Chinese electric cars and increasing competition from China will put pressure on European automakers to make better cars.

As an advocate of the open market, Källenius also called for joint efforts to create a level playing field for all automakers.