Mercedes boss (and fellow Swede) is now publicly going on the offensive.
Demagogues will use the fact that Chinese state-owned companies own nearly 20% of Mercedes as an argument against him, but I don't think he is alone in his skepticism. Porsche has also been vocal against tariffs. There seems to be a split between French firms (who have negligent presence in China) and German ones. Generally speaking, when Germany and France are at loggerheads, typically Germany have their way in the EU. But it's too early to celebrate.
There is tremendous pressure from the US too for the EU to go onto some kind of economic war with China. I repeat what I've said before: protectionism rarely works in the long run. It would only subsidise inferior companies and this is the path the US is taking. I hope the EU doesn't follow suit.