Wadephul meets Chinese Minister of Commerce – Andreas Kroll accompanies business delegation to Beijing
In the photo, from left to right: • Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser, Deputy Chair of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) • Andreas Kroll, Managing Director of Noble Elements • Johann Wadephul, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs • Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) • Dr. Sabine Stricker-Kellerer, Chair of the German-Chinese Dialogue Forum • Oliver Rentschler, Ministerial Director, Head of the Geoeconomics Department • Helmut Schmid, Chairman of the Board of the German Robotics Association • Marcel Viëtor, Deputy Head of the Foreign Trade Promotion Division
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has traveled to China for political and economic talks. In Beijing, he met with the Chinese Minister of Commerce to discuss current economic relations between the two countries.
Andreas Kroll, CEO of Noble Elements, also took part in the trip as part of the German business delegation. The delegation accompanied the Foreign Minister to ensure that the economic perspective of German companies was represented in the discussions.
According to official information from the Federal Government, the meeting focused in particular on issues relating to trade relations, export regulations, and the impact of global market changes on German and European industry.
The visit marks a further step in Germany’s ongoing efforts to continue the strategic exchange with China on key economic issues and to keep existing channels for dialogue and cooperation open.
Andreas Kroll commented on the results of the trip with the following words:
Having just returned from China, I look back on an impressive and enriching trip. My special thanks go to everyone who made this experience possible – in particular our Chinese hosts and the Federal Foreign Office for the smooth organization.
Our delegation was received with great warmth and appreciation, even though the discussions were demanding in terms of content. In intensive and constructive discussions with Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the focus was primarily on the granting of general licenses. This procedure could significantly simplify and accelerate the approval processes for critical commodities exported to Europe – a goal that we at Noble Elements are pursuing with vigor. We have decided to apply for such a license. There is hope: Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao signaled a generous approach to the granting of these licenses.