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The Vice-President of the European Commission, Teresa Ribera, stated on Thursday that after reviewing the details regarding the U.S. imposition of tariffs on foreign cars, the EC will “react accordingly.” We will have to focus on our own interests as Europeans, she added.
On Wednesday, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that on April 2 he will impose a 25% tariff on all passenger cars and light trucks imported from abroad. The previous rate was 2.5%. Among EU member states, the largest exporters of cars to the USA are Germany, followed by Slovakia, Italy, and Sweden. According to the German statistical office Destatis, in 2024 Germany exported 3.4 million new cars worth 135 billion euros, of which nearly 450,000 were exported to the USA.
Ribera, responsible for competition policy in the EC, told reporters on Thursday that the U.S. imposition of tariffs on foreign cars is bad news for both consumers and the industry. “We regret that the American administration is playing against a well-functioning global car market,” she emphasized.
When asked whether Brussels might propose increasing the import of American LNG in negotiations with Washington, Ribera replied that contracts for purchasing liquefied gas are signed by companies, not governments.
“Of course, we will have to focus on our own interests as Europeans. We will work together with the (automotive – PAP) sector to ensure that our own companies cope with this,” noted the Vice-President of the EC. She added that the European Union should support companies that meet high standards in terms of labor rights and environmental protection.
Ribera announced that the EC would look into the details of the tariffs announced by the USA and react accordingly. (27.03.2025)