The Wolfsburg-based automaker Volkswagen is currently negotiating with the U.S. Department of Commerce to resolve the ongoing tariff dispute, offering further investments in the United States in exchange.

"I was personally in Washington, and we have been in regular contact since then," Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" (Friday edition). The primary point of contact is the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, "but ultimately, these matters also reach the desk of the U.S. President." Blume emphasized that while he speaks on behalf of the VW Group, he always seeks solutions that could be applied more broadly.

The Volkswagen chief made it clear that, in return for resolving the tariff dispute, he is putting additional investments in the U.S. on the table. "The Volkswagen Group wants to continue investing in the United States," Blume stated. VW already employs over 20,000 people directly in the U.S., with more than 55,000 jobs supported indirectly. The company manufactures cars, school buses, and trucks in the country, and also maintains a partnership with U.S. firm Rivian. "We would build on this with further, significant investments. All of this should be considered in the decision-making process," the executive stressed. The guiding principle should be: those who invest in a country should benefit from improved conditions.

On Wednesday, Reuters news agency reported, citing insiders, that Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are in talks with the U.S. Department of Commerce about possible tariff relief. According to three people familiar with the matter, the discussions center on a mechanism that would offset imports with exports from the U.S. The German automakers hope to reach an agreement with the U.S. government by June, which would see tariff relief granted in exchange for multi-billion dollar investments in the United States.

DUAL ROLE AS VW AND PORSCHE CEO NOT FOREVER

Blume, who also serves as CEO of publicly listed VW subsidiary Porsche, does not see his frequently criticized dual role as permanent. His position as head of both Volkswagen and Porsche is "not set in stone," the executive said. "There may come a time when we decide to focus on just one of the two roles."

(Reporting by Ralf Banser, edited by Christian Götz. For questions, please contact the editorial management at berlin.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for politics and economy) or frankfurt.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for companies and markets).)