US Moves Forward With Plan to Hike EU Car Import Tariffs to 25%
US-EU Trade Tensions Escalate Over Car Tariffs
By David Shepardson
US Announces Tariff Increase
WASHINGTON, May 4 (Reuters) - U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told European Union and German trade officials over the weekend that the U.S. will move forward with President Donald Trump's plan to raise EU car import tariffs to 25%, according to a statement made Monday on CNBC.
Greer’s Statement on Tariff Decision
"I was in contact with both European and German trade officials this weekend to help them understand why this was happening and remind them of all the conversations we've had about their compliance," Greer told CNBC in an interview. "I'll continue to have those conversations, but the president's moving forward with this action."
Tariff as Part of Broader Negotiations
Asked if the tariff should be considered just a piece of a larger negotiation or a permanent state, Greer added: "It's one part of the deal."
As of Monday at 1 p.m. ET, the new tariffs had not been officially adopted.
Background and EU Response
Trump said on Friday he would increase tariffs on cars from the European Union to 25% next week from the previously agreed 15%, saying the bloc had not complied with its trade deal with Washington.
European Commission Reaction
The European Commission rejected Trump's claim that Brussels was not complying with last summer's trade deal and said it would keep its options open to protect EU interests if Washington breached the terms of the agreement.
Broader Context of US-EU Relations
Trump fired off the tariff post amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and the EU over the war in Iran and European countries' refusal to send navies to open the Strait of Hormuz. The White House said Friday it plans to remove 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the U.S. was being "humiliated" by Iran in talks to end the conflict in the Middle East.
Impact on Automotive Industry
Previous Tariff Agreements
The Trump administration last year imposed a 25% tariff on global automotive imports under a national security trade law, but reached a separate deal with the EU in August to lower those duties to a net 15%, inclusive of prior duties.
Market Reaction
Shares in German carmakers slid on Monday following Trump's decision to hike U.S. tariffs on imported European cars to 25% from the 15% levy previously agreed, dealing a fresh blow to the already battered sector.
Stock Market Performance
The pan-European automobiles and parts index was down 2.3% as of 1046 GMT, while shares in Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen were all down 2% to 3%.
(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Aurora Ellis)
