Europe's biggest economy, whose flagship auto industry is mired in problems, is "appealing both to Brussels and Beijing to come to durable and constructive solutions" through ongoing talks, said Chancellor Olaf Scholz's spokesman Steffen Hebestreit.
Germany had voted against the extra tariffs, measures which Hebestreit said "will naturally bring a response from the Chinese side".
"Such trade disputes are not something we should aspire too," he told a press conference.
The new tariffs of up to 35 percent were announced by the European Commission on Tuesday after an EU probe found Chinese state subsidies were undercutting European automakers.
Beijing said Wednesday it had lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization, with China's commerce ministry vowing to "take all necessary measures to firmly protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies".
Talks are continuing between the EU and China, and the duties can be lifted if the two sides reach a satisfactory agreement.
On Tuesday Germany's Association of the Automotive Industry, which represents car giants like Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes, branded the tariffs "a step backwards for free global trade and thus for prosperity, job preservation and growth in Europe".
On Wednesday Volkswagen warned that "painful" cuts lay ahead as it announced plummeting third-quarter profit, in part because of falling sales in China, its biggest market.
Worker representatives this week said at least three German VW plants were at risk and tens of thousands of jobs could go at the namesake brand.
Volkswagen profit plunges on high costs, Chinese slump
Frankfurt, Germany (AFP) Oct 30, 2024 -
Europe's biggest carmaker Volkswagen reported a 64-percent drop in third-quarter net profit Wednesday, as it struggles with high costs and slowing sales in China.
Net profit fell to 1.58 billion euros ($1.7 billion) year-on-year, said the group, which is planning an unprecedented restructuring that could include thousands of job cuts.
The German car giant -- whose 10 brands range from its core VW models to Seat, Skoda and Porsche -- has been hit hard by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Global vehicle deliveries fell by seven percent in the July to September period, Volkswagen said, with an increase in sales in North America failing to offset a 15-percent fall in China.
Sales of the group's electric models were down 10 percent.
Volkswagen's results were also impacted by "higher fixed costs" and restructuring expenses, it said.
VW finance chief Arno Antlitz said the group's lacklustre performance so far this year reflected a "challenging market environment" and highlighted the "urgent need for significant cost reductions and efficiency gains".
Volkswagen stunned employees in September when it announced it was considering closing factories in Germany for the first time as part of a massive cost-cutting drive to improve competitiveness.
The savings efforts are focused on the core VW brand, which reported an operating profit margin of only two percent over the first nine months.
Volkswagen labour leaders told staff on Monday that at least three VW brand factories were at risk in Germany and that tens of thousands of jobs could be slashed. Other factories would be downsized and pay cuts of 10 percent loomed for remaining employees, they warned.
Worker representatives have vowed to put up strong resistance to the plans, with possible strike action starting in December.
Volkswagen bosses have not commented on the details of the savings drive but have described the situation as "serious".
The group will hold a second round of talks with the powerful IG Metall union on Wednesday. The union is seeking a seven-percent pay rise for workers, which bosses have rejected.
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