[Source/Observer Network Qi Qian] Recently, the international economic and trade situation has been unpredictable, and the tariff war initiated by US President Trump has impacted the global industrial chain. However, under such a tariff storm, many companies in industries such as automobiles, medicine, and chemicals from countries like Japan, Germany, and the United States have announced new investments in China. This includes industry giants such as Toyota, Nissan, Siemens, and BASF.
"Multinational corporations are investing heavily in China despite tariff threats, breaking the观望 trend," the South China Morning Post reported on April 25, stating that recent investments from foreign enterprises are seen as "votes of confidence in the Chinese market" amidst increasing tariff headwinds and an increasingly complex investment environment.
According to local government websites and media reports, several industry giants have reached new cooperation agreements since April.
On April 22, the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and Toyota Motor Corporation signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shanghai. Both parties will strengthen cooperation in the field of new energy vehicles and jointly promote China's green and low-carbon development. It was introduced that this Toyota project has a total investment of 14.6 billion yuan, and the approval process for the entire project will be accelerated. According to the plan, it is expected that the project will officially start construction in June this year, and the first vehicle will be produced in 2027.
The South China Morning Post reported that this is one of the largest foreign investments announced in China since Trump launched the tariff war.
A week ago (on the 15th), this Japanese automotive giant also signed an agreement worth 236 million RMB with Sichuan Shudao Investment Group and Shudao Equipment Technology to establish a hydrogen fuel cell joint venture.
On April 23, another well-known Japanese car manufacturer, Nissan, unveiled its new electrified model at the 2025 Shanghai International Auto Show and simultaneously launched a new global strategy, formulating regional market strategies worldwide, building product portfolios based on market demand, and strengthening cooperation with local partners.
Nissan unveils its new electrified model at the 2025 Shanghai International Auto Show - Nissan Motor
At the same time, local governments are also introducing supportive incentive policies to further increase their appeal to foreign investments.
On April 18, the Pudong New Area of Shanghai held a high-level reform and opening-up promotion meeting. During the conference, multiple foreign investment projects were signed on-site. Among them, the Japanese Morimatsu Group project has an investment amount of 620 million yuan, planning to build the Morimatsu headquarters office building. The Daiichi-Sankyo pharmaceutical company plans to invest 1 billion yuan in the production of biomedicine in Pudong using a segmented production method.
In addition to some Japanese multinational corporations, foreign enterprises from Germany and the United States have also vowed to increase their investments in China.
On April 3, Siemens Healthineers signed a contract with the Zhengzhou Aviation Port Economic Comprehensive Experimental Zone to jointly build the Siemens Healthineers Central Distribution Center and the Siemens Regional Medical Innovation and Empowerment Center. This project is positioned as the sixth global distribution center of Siemens Healthineers and the second largest distribution center in China.
In Shenzhen, the American venture capital firm and startup accelerator Plug and Play announced on April 15 the launch of the China Greater Bay Area International Innovation Center, focusing on innovation businesses such as artificial intelligence, and establishing innovation spaces, innovation services, and technology investments. It also aims to build an industry exchange platform to promote the landing of innovative enterprises.
Plug and Play China Greater Bay Area International Innovation Center launches in Luohu District, Shenzhen - Shenzhen News
Last month, BASF, one of the world's largest chemical producers, announced an investment of 500 million RMB for the expansion of its Cellasto factory in Shanghai Pudong. In the future, it will provide advanced noise reduction, vibration damping, and comfort solutions, driving the rapid development of China's electric vehicle industry. The expansion project is planned to be completed and put into operation in 2027.
Xu Yibin, Vice President and General Manager of the Pudong Base of BASF, said: "Total capacity will increase by nearly 70%, providing noise reduction and vibration-damping automotive elastomer products and services for China's auto industry, especially the electric vehicle industry. This is also the first production base in China for BASF's product technology services."
"These multinational corporations face increasingly complex situations and vow to increase their investments in China," the South China Morning Post reported. Due to Trump's frequently changing trade policies, the international economic and trade situation is concerning. However, amid increasing tariff headwinds and a more complex business environment, foreign enterprises are announcing new investments in China, casting "votes of confidence" in the country through action.
The report mentioned that earlier, it was reported that the Trump administration was preparing to pressure other countries during tariff negotiations, requiring these countries to limit trade with China in exchange for US tariff exemptions. China has warned against such coercive practices by the United States and called on all countries not to make appeasement or compromise moves toward the Trump administration.
Nie Riming, researcher and deputy director of the Shanghai Institute of Finance and Law, told the South China Morning Post that in the context of significant changes in the external environment, the presence and well-being of foreign enterprises are particularly important. He said: "China needs to retain these talents and attract more talents to demonstrate its stable and open business environment."
On April 23, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy Representative of International Trade Negotiations Ling Ji convened a roundtable meeting with foreign enterprises to discuss the impact of US tariff increases on the investment and operation of foreign enterprises in China. More than 80 foreign enterprises and representatives of foreign chambers of commerce participated.
Ling Ji stated that recently, the unilateralism and hegemonism of the US imposing tariffs have aroused strong dissatisfaction from the international community and severely damaged the multilateral trading system and international economic order based on rules. They have also disrupted the stability of the global supply chain, making companies in various countries, including China, victims. To safeguard its legitimate interests and uphold international fairness and justice, China firmly opposes such actions.
Ling Ji pointed out that he hopes foreign enterprises will voice rational opinions, remain confident, overcome difficulties, turn crises into opportunities, and jointly defeat unilateralism and protectionism. China will continue to expand high-level openness, effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign enterprises, take more proactive measures to resolve problems and difficulties for foreign enterprises operating in China, strive to ensure the stability and smoothness of the supply chain, and work to address the concerns and demands of foreign enterprises.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7497048326588596771/
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