German Automakers Push for EU-US Trade Relief

VDA President Hildegard Mueller warned that current U.S. trade policies create a volatile environment for European companies. Beyond heavy vehicle duties, the sector continues to grapple with a 15% tariff on passenger cars and components. These costs, according to the industry association, ripple through the entire supply chain, ultimately inflating prices for consumers and discouraging capital investment.

Mueller stressed that establishing reliable regulatory conditions is the only path forward to protecting manufacturing jobs. While the European Parliament has cleared its legislative hurdle, the formal adoption by the European Council remains the final step required to provide the legal certainty automakers desperately need to navigate the American market.