Trump threatens 25% tariffs on European cars

Donald Trump riapre il commercial front con Bruxellesand aims at the heart ofeuropean industry: l’auto. Il American presidentannounced that from next weekwill increase duties to 25%. su cars and trucksimported fromUnionaccusing Brussels of not “fully” respecting thecommercial agreementachieved withWashington. The measure, Trump wrote in Truth, will not affect ivehicles produced in US plantsa direct message toEuropean manufacturerswelcome to move moremanufacturing in the United States.

EU, all options open to protect our interests

“Should the United States take measures inconsistent with the Joint Declaration, We will keep all options open to protect the EU’s interests“. This was declared by a Commission spokesperson responding to the latest threats from US President Trump.

“The European Union is implementing the commitments undertaken in the Joint Declaration in accordance with standard legislative practice, keeping the US administration constantly informed. – continues the spokesperson – We maintain a close contact with our counterpartsalso to obtain clarifications on the commitments undertaken by the United States. Let’s stay fully engaged for a predictable and mutually beneficial transatlantic relationship.”

The 2025 US-EU trade agreement

L’agreement che i producersthey wouldn’t be respecting is theUS-EU trade frameworkdefined in the summer of 2025, after the political agreement betweenTrumpand the president of theEuropean Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The agreement, then formalized in ajoint statementon August 21, 2025, expected a15% tariff capfor most of theEuropean goodsto be exportedUnited Statescomprese cars and componentsin exchange forEuropean concessions su industrial products, agri-food e barriers not subject to duties.

La European Commissionhe then assured that the agreement would give a more stable framework to one of thecommercial relationshipsmost important in the world. For theautomotive sectorthe central point was right therereduction of the American levy. According to theUS-EU joint statementat the presentation of Brussels’ legislative proposals to cut thedutieson American products, Washington would apply toEuropean cars una overall rate of 15%including measures related tonational securityprovided for in Section 232. TheWhite Househad presented the agreement as a victory for theamerican industry: the EU should have eliminatedduties su US industrial goodsincrease access tomarket for American agricultural and seafood productsacquireenergy usafor 750 billion dollars by 2028 and mobilize newEuropean investments in the United Statesfor 600 billion.

Trump’s accusations and the consequences for the industry

Trump today claims thatBruxellesis not respecting theunderstandingalthough without indicating which obligation would have been violated. The picture is also complicated on thelegal level. SecondAssociated Pressthe status of the 2025 agreement has been called into question after a ruling byAmerican Supreme Courtwhich limited theauthority of the president a imporre dutiesinvoking l’economic emergency. Il initial cap of 15%it would thus be reduced to 10%, while the administration sought new legal bases to impose othersimport levies.

Le potential consequencesthey are heavy. Ameasure at 25%would make it more expensiveUnited States le cars produced in Europe da gruppi come Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Stellar e altri premium brands. Companies could choose whether to absorb part of the cost,reducing marginsor download it onAmerican consumers con price increases. In both cases, the blow would come on an industry already under pressureelectrical transition, Chinese competition e high industrial costs.

The risks for the European Union and possible reactions

For theUe il risk is industrial and political. I dati Thatshow that in 2025 theEuropean automotive exporthas already come under heavy pressure with adrop of 6.2%and that towards himUnited States by 21.4%direct effect ofduties introducedthe previous year. Trump’s move also has astrategic objective: spingere i foreign manufacturers a produce in the USA. The phrase “no duties” for those who manufacture in America is designed to encourage newindustrial investments e internal employment.

But not allEuropean modelssold negliUnited Statescan be quickly transferred toAmerican factories: reconvertproduction chains, suppliers e assembly linestakes years. On a commercial level,Bruxellescould react withcountermeasuresopening a new phase oftransatlantic tariff war. And’escalationwould risk expanding beyondautocoinvolgendo steel, aluminum, agri-food, technology e industrial goods. It is the scenario that the 2025 agreement was supposed to avoid, by setting a ceiling onduties per dare predictability for businesses.