Audi boss: We love selling cars to UK... let’s do Brexit deal
THE head of one of Germany’s biggest car makers yesterday called for a tariff-free trade deal with Britain.
In a major intervention, Audi chairman Rupert Stadler said he wanted the EU to get on with striking a trade deal with Britain that would preserve existing markets on both sides of the Channel.
Asked if he was concerned about the impact on sales in the UK, and the knock-on effect on German jobs, if the EU imposed punitive tariffs on trade with the UK post-Brexit, Mr Stadler said: ‘We don’t want tariffs. I’m a big fan of fair trade and free trade.’
Speaking at the Shenzhen motor show in China, he added: ‘Great Britain is a big market for Audi. It’s a very important market for us. We love to sell cars to Great Britain.’
Mr Stadler said there would be no winners if a trade deal wasn’t struck between the EU and the UK, and that it would ‘cost jobs’ in both Germany and Britain. The issue of tariffs was on everyone’s minds, but was still ‘hypothetical’, he said, adding that he hoped a deal would be done, but it was down to the respective governments.
Mr Stadler’s intervention will pile pressure on German Chancellor Angela Merkel to push Brussels to stop stalling on a trade deal with Britain.
Prominent Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg welcomed his comments and said it was clear that the intransigent attitude displayed by EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier was out of step with the interests of member states such as Germany.
Tory MP Mr Rees-Mogg said: ‘These comments from Audi are very important because Angela Merkel has a good track record of backing Germany’s industrial interests. Barnier has got a rather dog-in-a-manger attitude, but this is not what European business wants. ’
Mr Stadler’s comments reflect wider concern in the German car industry that the sector could be hit by tariffs if trade talks fail.
In March, Porsche executive Lutz Meschke also said it was in the EU’s interests to forge a free trade deal with Britain. He said failure to strike a deal would ‘put German jobs at risk’.
The UK is Audi’s fourth largest market after China, Germany
‘Very important market for us’
and the US, with sales of more than 170,000 cars a year.
Mr Stadler’s comments came as European ports told MPs they could have efficient new customs systems up and running in time for the UK’s exit from the EU – provided ministers get on with making a decision on which model they want.
Joachim Coens, chief executive officer of the port of Zeebrugge, said it was vital an agreement on future customs arrangements was in place by the time the proposed transition period kicks in next March. He added: ‘The transition period of two years if fine, provided we know what we have to do.’