Controversy over punitive tariffs: Trump welcomes German auto managers

US President Donald Trump has announced at short notice at the summit with top representatives of the German car industry in the White House. Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said a "brief meeting" of the president with the representatives of BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen is scheduled for Tuesday.

Sanders named the chief executives of Daimler and Volkswagen, Dieter Zetsche and Herbert Diess, as well as BMW CFO Nicolas Peter.

The managers are on the background of imminent punitive tariffs on car imports for talks in the US capital. The autobuses may try to dissuade Trump's government with investment commitments from higher import barriers. The visit to Washington is controversial, however, because the EU is actually responsible for the negotiations with the US, not the corporations.

The meeting, which started in the late morning (local time), is not a summit round in the true sense of the word, according to information from the German Press Agency. The government officials wanted to hold one-hour one-on-one talks with the managers in the Eisenhower Building next to the White House.

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German automobiles in the White House Trumps PR manager

Then Trump wanted to briefly receive the German guests in the White House. But the US president once again made it clear on Twitter what he thinks of the free market economy: "I'm a man of tariffs." This path will always be the best way to maximize America's economic power, Trump continues. Even though he was referring in particular to the negotiations in the trade dispute with China, Trump's Twitter commitment to customs duties is not exactly a source of encouragement for the automobiles.

US Trade Minister Wilbur Ross has already urged German carmakers on the CNBC financial channel to increase production in the US. The goal is to reduce the US trade deficit with Germany in cars and car parts, said Ross. This is "hopefully accompanied by increased production in the United States". It is also important to get a large part of the future electric car production in the States, the Minister continued.

.... I am a Tariff man. When people come to the great wealth of our nation, I want them to pay for the privilege of doing so. It always wants to be the best way to max out our economic power. We are now taking in $ billions in Tariffs. MAKE AMERICA RICH AGAIN

According to information from the dpa, the US government has invited to discuss the trade situation. Nothing is negotiated, however, the car managers want to underline the importance of German companies for the US industry.