英语新闻丨BRI auto demand elixir for protectionism

Chinese vehicles are relatively immune from the United States' tariff impacts due to the limited number of such direct exports to the US and nearly nonexistent sales of domestic brands in that market, said Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association.中国乘用车协会秘书长崔东树表示，由于中国对美直接出口汽车数量有限且自主品牌在当地市场销量近乎空白，中国汽车受美国加征关税的影响相对有限。Cui highlighted the strong growth potential of Chinese autos in other markets. He stressed the need for Chinese automakers to strengthen partnerships with companies from Belt and Road Initiative-involved regions and southern hemisphere areas.崔指出，中国汽车在其他市场展现出强劲增长潜力，他强调中国汽车制造商需深化与"一带一路"沿线地区及南半球区域企业之间的合作。Specifically, Cui said promoting the use of small-sized electric vehicles in those markets is key to addressing demand for navigating narrow streets due to inadequate infrastructure development in certain regions.崔东树特别指出，在基础设施发展相对滞后的区域市场，推广小型电动汽车应用是破解狭窄街巷通行需求的关键所在。"Currently, China's efforts in advancing the BRI have been fruitful, and there is strong demand for automobiles in these regions. There is substantial potential for gasoline-powered Chinese vehicles by ramping up the export of these products. Promoting plug-in hybrid models will also unlock tremendous opportunities due to cost-effectiveness and energy-efficiency," he said."当前中国'一带一路'建设成效显著，这些地区汽车消费需求旺盛。通过扩大传统燃油车出口，中国车企仍有巨大市场空间。此外，插电式混合动力车型凭借其成本效益与节能优势，也将释放巨大市场机遇。"Cui, citing data from the General Administration of Customs, said China exported only 116,138 vehicles to the US in 2024, accounting for a mere 1.81 percent of China's total auto exports.崔表示，根据海关总署的数据，2024年中国仅向美国出口了116,138辆汽车，占中国汽车出口总量的1.81%。In contrast, the so-called reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US have a more significant impact on European, Japanese and South Korean automakers. Huatai Securities predicts that the 25 percent additional tariffs imposed by the US will affect 20 percent of direct exports from Japan and South Korea, and 30 percent of direct exports from German automakers, translating to an estimated sales impact of approximately 270,000, 200,000, and 160,000 vehicles, respectively, in 2025.相比之下，美国实施的所谓"对等关税"对欧洲、日本和韩国汽车制造商的影响更为显著。华泰证券研报预测，美国加征的25%额外关税将影响日韩车企20%的直接出口规模，对德国汽车制造商的直接影响范围更达30%。按此推算，预计到2025年将分别造成日、韩、德系车企约27万辆、20万辆和16万辆的销售缺口。Huatai Securities suggests that the US tariff policies may indirectly promote cooperation between China and other countries and regions, potentially enabling Chinese automotive companies to gain more market share in the EU and Southeast Asia.华泰证券认为，美国关税政策或将间接促进中国与其他国家和地区的合作，中国车企有望借此在欧盟及东南亚市场获取更大份额。As per the Ministry of Commerce, on April 3, both China and Europe agreed to swiftly resume negotiations on price commitments for electric vehicle anti-subsidy cases, fostering a favorable environment for promoting investment and industrial cooperation between Chinese and European enterprises.据商务部消息，4月3日中欧双方同意尽快重启电动汽车反补贴案价格承诺谈判，为中欧企业深化投资与产业合作营造良好环境。"China's global automotive market share is only around 35 percent, with Chinese brand vehicles accounting for less than 28 percent. Chinese brand vehicles have ample room for market share growth in many overseas markets," Cui said.崔东树指出："中国汽车全球市场份额仅约35%，其中自主品牌占比不足28%。在众多海外市场，中国品牌汽车仍具备充分的市场拓展空间。""With minimal presence in the US automotive market, the trade conflicts have minimal negative impacts on Chinese brand vehicles. There are numerous opportunities for Chinese brands to expand overseas, especially in countries without established automotive industries that welcome our localized products," he said."由于中国品牌汽车在美国市场存在感极低，贸易摩擦带来的负面影响微乎其微。中国品牌海外拓展机遇众多，尤其在缺乏本土汽车工业的国家，当地市场对我们本土化产品持开放态度。"Cui highlighted a growing need for Chinese autos from BRI-involved regions. He said accelerating the export of Chinese gas-powered vehicle products and hybrid models holds immense potential.他特别强调，"一带一路"区域对中国汽车的需求持续增长，加速中国燃油车产品与混合动力车型出口将释放巨大潜力。the General Administration of Customs海关总署market share市场份额trade conflicts贸易摩擦price commitments价格承诺electric vehicles电动车