Automotive industry intensifies criticism of EU-US tariff deal

Berlin/Brussels (dpa) – The German automotive industry is intensifying its criticism of the US-EU tariff deal, particularly lamenting the ambiguities of the agreement. “The deal between the EU and the USA has not yet brought any clarity or improvement for the German automotive industry,” stated the president of the Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), Hildegard Müller. A tariff of 27.5 percent will continue to apply to cars and car parts.

This significantly burdens German car manufacturers and suppliers. “It is important that the promised agreement now comes and the reliefs are implemented promptly,” Müller said. For this, the EU Commission and the German government must push hard.

On Tuesday, a Commission official had said he expected the car tariffs to be adjusted “very soon.” The EU had actually assumed, following the framework agreement between US President Donald Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen nearly two weeks ago, that the new 15 percent cap on almost all imports would come into effect on August 1.

In this context, it was particularly expected that the current special tariffs on cars and car parts of 27.5 percent would be lowered to this rate. However, this is not a topic in an executive order signed by the US President last week. (August 7)