Volkswagen (VW) Passat R Car (L) and GTI turtleneck are in the photo in the Tower Suppory magazine of the German car manufacturer Volkswagen at the company's headquarters in Wolfsburg, Central Germany, March 11, 2025.
Ronny Hartmann AFP Getty images
The German Minister of Economy and the Automotive Industry announced the plans of US President Donald Trump to impose sweeping 25% tariffs for car imports in the USASaying that the movement sends a “fatal signal” to trade free and based on principles.
On Wednesday, Trump said that he would implement tariffs for all vehicles and foreign car parts imported to the USA, as part of the means to enter into force from April 2.
Obligations that coincide with Even wider pressure on fees Starting from next week, they represent a serious escalation in brewing the global trade war.
Minister of German Economy Robert Habeck called for the European Union to “decisive response” to the latest Trump's tariff announcement, saying that the fees “will eventually harm the US and the EU and global trade as a whole.”
“The announcement of high tariffs for cars and car parts is bad news for German cars, for the German economy, for the EU, but also for the US,” Habeck said on Thursday in a statement transferred by Google.
“Now it is crucial for the EU to give a decisive response to the-Musia tariffs to be clear that we will not withdraw in the face of the United States. Strength and confidence is required,” he added.
European car actions traded much lower on Thursday, Tracking auto loss in Asia night.
French car parts supplier Valeo fell by 5.2% in the south of London (8 am et), while on the Milan list on the list Stellantis And Germany Porsche fell by 4%.
“Additional American tariffs of 25% for all passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, which are not produced in the USA, send a fatal signal for free, based on trade principles”, Hildegard Müller, president of the German automotive industry association (VDA), he said In a statement on Wednesday.
“Tariffs that are to apply on April 2 will burden both the company and closely related global supply chains in the automotive industry – with negative consequences, especially for consumers – including North America,” said Müller.
Müller VDA emphasized the economic importance of free and fair trade to both parties of the transatlantic partnership and called for immediate negotiations between the USA and the EU under a bilateral agreement.
“The risk of global trade conflict – with a negative impact on the global economy and growth, prosperity, workplaces and consumers' prices – is high from all sides,” said Müller.
'Unjustified'
Analysts earlier warned The German automotive sector seems to be significantly exposed to American tariffs, noting that the country was – from a distance – the largest exporter of passenger cars to the USA in 2023.
Germany VolkswagenIN Mercedes-Benz Group AND BMW In recent months, they have emitted profit warnings, citing economic weakness and slow demand in China, the world's largest car market.
Miguel Berger, German ambassador to Great Britain, he said The tariffs for automotive imports to the USA were “unjustified” and an attempt to reorganize international trade “for the only advantage of investments in the USA”
“Tariffs will cause huge damage to industry and consumers. We must get involved in conversations and be ready for a strong, united answer,” said Berger on Thursday on the social media platform X.
Cars intended for exports on railway cars at the Bremerhaven port, before they were loaded to ships on February 27, 2025 in Bremerhaven, Germany.
Sean Gallup Getty Images News Getty images
The European Association of Car Manufacturers (ACEA) stated that it was “deeply concerned” with the proposed Trump's car tariffs. ACEA, a car lobby group, represents such as BMW, FerrariIN RenaultIN Volkswagen AND Volvo.
“The EU and the United States must conduct a dialogue to find an immediate solution to prevent tariffs and the harmful consequences of the trade war,” said in a statement the general director of ACEA, Sigrid de Vries.
How did car manufacturers answer?
The BMW spokesman said that he was involved in reducing tariffs and trade barriers between the EU and the USA, warning that the commercial conflict between these economic regions “would not bring any benefits.”
BMW said that its plant in Spartanburg in southern Carolina is the largest plant around the world and serves as an important location of the company's production network for over 30 years.
In 2024, the company announced that the plant exported about 225,000 BMW vehicles with an export value of over $ 10 billion, “making it again the largest automotive exporter in terms of value” in the USA “
The BMW logo can be seen on the four-cylinder BMW (also known as BMW Tower and BMW High-Rise), the main administrative building and landmark of the BMW vehicle manufacturer.
Picture Alliance Getty images
Meanwhile, Swedish Volvo cars said on Thursday that “he looks at the effects of tariff changes”, as Trump's administration was announced.
“Volvo Cars warns development in various markets, including in the US. We follow the governments and pay all required obligations for all imported vehicles and all parts, in accordance with the requirements of the law,” said Volvo Cars spokesman, said CNBC by E -Mail.
“It is too early at this stage to comment on further,” they added.
French car manufacturer Renaultwho is not present on the American market, said that he remains careful about the development of tariffs.
The Premium Sportscar brand, whose Premium Sportscar Alpine has previously announced that it wants to expand its global trace, and the US as one of the markets considered.
“Alpine carefully observes the local situation to be able to assess the possibilities and conditions of entering this territory,” said Renault spokesman.