Overview

• VDMA president Bertram Kawlath warned that Chinese firms benefit from substantial state subsidies and lower production costs, creating unfair competition for German manufacturers.
• The association highlighted that some Chinese machinery delivered to Europe violates EU technical regulations, calling for sanctions on non-compliant imports.
• German machinery exports to China fell by 12.2 percent to €3.99 billion in the first quarter of 2025, underscoring mounting sectoral pressure.
• The VDMA supports imposing countervailing duties on imports that breach EU anti-dumping or anti-subsidy rules to level the playing field.
• Industry leaders are also pushing for tougher market surveillance with mandatory third-party certification and for increased investment in European strategic technologies to reduce reliance on China.