VW is negotiating with the US Ministry of Trade about Zoll-Deal-Diepresse.com

The German car manufacturer Volkswagen is negotiating with the US Ministry of Trade on the settlement of the customs dispute and in return offers further investments in the USA. « I was in Washington myself and we have been in regular exchange since then, » said Group boss Oliver Blume of the « Süddeutsche Zeitung » (Friday edition). The US Minister of Trade is the primary contact, « but ultimately the topics also go to the table of the US president ».

Blume emphasized that he spoke there for the VW group, but he always has solutions that could generally be used. The Volkswagen boss made it clear that in return for an agreement in the customs dispute, he was throwing further investments in the United States in the balance. « The Volkswagen Group wants to continue investing in the USA, » said Blume. VW already employs over 20,000 people directly in the United States, over 55,000 people indirectly that cars, school buses and trucks were built, and there is also a partnership with the US company Rivian. « We would build on it with further, massive investments. All of this should play a role in the decisions, » emphasized the manager. The principle must apply: If you invest in a country, you should benefit from better framework conditions.

On Wednesday, the Reuters news agency had learned from insiders that Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz talk to the US Ministry of Trade about possible customs reservations. It is about a mechanism in which imports would be offset against exports from the United States, three of the people familiar with the process had said. The German carmakers hoped for an agreement between the US government with the individual companies in June. It is about easier in customs in return for billions of investments in the United States.

Blume, who is also head of the listed VW subsidiary Porsche at the same time, does not see his double role, which has often been criticized, not carved into stone. His function as head of Volkswagen and Porsche was « not set up for eternity, » said the manager. « The time at which we decide to put the concentration on one of the two roles. » (APA/Reuters)