Germany attacks Trump’s tax on imports of US cars

The Minister of Economy of Germany and the automotive industry criticized the plans of the US president of Donald Trump to impose sweep 25% tariffs on US car imports. UU.saying that the measure sends a “fatal signal” to free trade and rules based.

Trump said Wednesday that he would implement tariffs in all vehicles and foreign manufacturing cars imported to the US. UU., As part of the measures that will enter into force as of April 2.

Duties, which coincide with an even wider thrust in the levies From next week, represent an important escalation in a global commercial war already prepared.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck asked the European Union to provide a “decisive response” to Trump’s last tariff announcement, saying that the encumbrances “finally damage the United States and the EU, and the global trade as a whole.”

“The announcement of high tariffs in cars and car pieces is bad news for German cars manufacturers, for the German economy, for the EU, but also for the United States,” Habeck said Thursday in a Translative Declaration of Google.

“It is now crucial that the EU gives a decisive response to tariffs: it must be clear that we will not go back to the United States. Strength and self -confidence are required,” he added.

European automobile actions quoted on Thursday morning. French car pieces supplier Valeo More than 7% fell shortly after the opening bell, the Milan list Stellantis submerged 5% and Germany BMW More than 4%fell.

“The additional tariffs announced in the United States of 25% in all passenger cars and light commercial vehicles that are not manufactured in the US saying In a statement on Wednesday.

“The tariffs, which are scheduled to enter into force on April 2, will place a significant load for companies and global supply chains closely intertwined in the automotive industry, with negative consequences, especially for consumers, included in North America,” Müller said.

Müller de Vda stressed the economic importance of free and right trade on both sides of the transatlantic association and requested immediate negotiations between the United States and the EU in a bilateral agreement.

“The risk of a global commercial conflict, with the negative impacts on the global economy and growth, prosperity, jobs and consumer prices, is high in all parties,” Müller said.

Analysts have previously warned The German automotive sector seems significantly exposed to US tariffs, noting that the country was, at a distance, the largest passenger car export in Europe in the United States in 2023.

Germany Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz Group And BMW has issued gains warnings in recent months, citing economic weakness and slow demand in China, the world’s largest car market.

Miguel Berger, German ambassador to the United Kingdom, saying Tariffs on automotive imports to the United States were “unjustified” and an attempt to reorganize international trade “with the only advantage of investments in the United States”

“Tariffs will cause great damage to the industry and consumers. We need to participate in conversations and be ready for a strong and united response,” Berger said Thursday on the X Social Network Platform.

The European Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) said it was “deeply concerned” by Trump’s proposed automotive tariffs. The acea, a car lobby group, represents people like BMW, Ferrari, Renault, Volkswagen and Volvo.

“The EU and the United States must participate in the dialogue to find an immediate resolution to avoid tariffs and the harmful consequences of a commercial war,” said the general director of Acea, Sigrid de Vries, in a statement.

Meanwhile, Volvo de Sweden cars said Thursday that he was “investigating the effects of changes in tariffs” as announced by the Trump administration.

“Volvo Cars follows developments in different markets, including the US.

“It’s too early to comment more at this stage,” they added.