Innovations, labor, climate protection

    Trade and globalization

    Liberal and rule-based trade and investment conditions are a basic prerequisite for our industry, our jobs, our prosperity. This is especially true for an industry that is as globally successful and as interconnected as the automotive industry.

    Liberal and rule-based trade and investment conditions are a basic prerequisite for our industry, our jobs, our prosperity. This is especially true for an industry that is as globally successful and as interconnected as the automotive industry.

    Free and fair global trade serves every country

    • A significant percentage of economic output and thus jobs, public investment in infrastructure and social security in Germany, depend directly or indirectly on exports and manufacturing by German companies abroad.
    • If we fail to produce sufficient renewable energy in Germany, the importance of energy imports in the form of electricity from renewable sources, hydrogen, and climate-neutral gas will continue to increase in line with the less nuclear energy, fossil gas, oil, and coal we want to consume.
    • Secure and responsible supply of essential battery raw materials, such as cobalt, nickel, lithium, and copper, is key to the success of electromobility, which is why we are committed to fair mining conditions and long-term strategic partnerships with countries that supply these materials.
    • We continue to support multilateralism in trade policy. We reject isolationism and protectionism.
    • Trade and investment make an important contribution to stabilizing and developing emerging economies.
    • Sustainable supply chains and the protection of human rights, the environment, and the climate are key concerns of our industry. These can be more easily achieved with fair trade relations and open markets.

    For this we need:

    • A global level playing field and fair rules for all in global trade: For the benefit of all market participants. Multilateral institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) are important instruments for achieving this.
    • An effective, transparent, and assertive German and European trade policy. The concept of open strategic autonomy must not serve protectionist purposes.
    • We also need more EU trade agreements, such as MERCOSUR and CETA, but also an agreement with India and the ASEAN countries. The EU should promote modern free trade agreements with other important markets.
    • Expand and strengthen transatlantic relations.
    • Investment agreements such as the EU's with China represent important steps in a process toward ever-improving conditions for fair competition.
    • Continued support and cooperation with regard to entering future markets, such as Africa and India.
    • Conditions as transparent and predictable as possible for investment in the markets. Legal certainty and transparency are important goods. Resilient, stable, and fair trade relations with all energy-producing states as well as those along transportation routes.
    • Global rules and agreements on the protection of intellectual property.
    • A practicable supply chain law at European level, especially for SMEs, to replace the German regulation. This must not lead to competitive disadvantages vis-à-vis those market players who are less committed than the German automotive industry to human rights along the supply chains.
    Industrial and Digital Strategy & Political Coordination

    Inge Niebergall

    Head of Department