The new auto tariffs of the US President Trump trigger international criticism. Important trading partners such as Canada and Japan consider countermeasures. In the EU, negotiations are still being rely on.
The announcement by US President Donald Trump, to impose additional tariffs from 25 percent on auto imports from April 2, triggers sharp criticism from his trading partners. The Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney describes the new auto tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump as a direct attack on the Canadian employees.
Carney announced that he was going to convene a high -ranking meeting of the cabinet minister today to discuss trade options. “We will defend our workers, we will defend our companies, we will defend our country and we will defend it together,” he said. Canada is considering retaliation against the United States, continued Carney.
Japan announces “appropriate measures”
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has also announced consequences for the planned tariffs. “After this announcement, we have to think about appropriate measures,” said Ishiba in parliament. “Of course we will consider all options.”
According to the Japanese Ministry of Finance, automobiles made 28.3 percent of Japanese overall exports to the United States in 2024, the highest proportion of all goods. “Japan is a country that makes the most investments in the United States,” says Ishiba. Therefore, the question of whether it makes sense for Washington to apply uniform tariffs to all countries. “This is a point that we have pointed out and will continue to point out,” said Ishiba.
South Korea works on an emergency plan
According to the Minister of Industry Ahn Dukgeun, South Korea’s carmaker faces considerable difficulties in view of the announced auto duties. The government will work out an emergency plan by April, said Dukgeun.
Contact with the US government will also be contacted to minimize the negative effects on the South Korean automotive industry.
The EU relies on negotiations
There is also criticism of the plans of the US president from the EU. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on the online platform X: “I deeply regret the US decision to impose tariffs against European auto exports.” Customs are “bad” for companies and even “worse” for consumers, in the USA and the EU.
The EU would strive for negotiation solutions and protect its economic interests, she said. “As a large trade power and strong community of 27 Member States, we will jointly protect our employees, companies and consumers throughout the European Union.”
The Leyen emphasized that the automotive industry was connected by deeply integrated supply chains on both sides of the Atlantic. It is a driving force for innovation, competitiveness and high -quality jobs. “We will now evaluate this announcement together with other measures that the United States consider in the next few days,” said von der Leyen.
Habeck: “Strength and self-consciousness are in demand. “
Germany’s Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck calls for a consistent approach to the special tariffs. “It is now important that the EU gives a determined answer to the tariffs – it must be clear that we will not be added small compared to the United States,” said the Greens politician. “Strength and self -confidence are in demand.”
The step is not surprising that the EU Commission has prepared for this in exchange with the Member States. “At the same time, we will support the European Commission to find a solution with the United States through negotiations that turns off a customs spiral,” said Habeck. In the end, tariffs harm the USA and the EU and the global trade as a whole.
The Economic Minister spoke of bad news “for German carmakers, for the German economy, for the EU, but also for the USA”. Global supply chains are disturbed, and US cars would also be more expensive. “Prices will continue to rise in the USA.”
Jakob Mayr, ARD Brussels, on the possible effects of the announced additional tariffs on Europe
VDA President sees “fatal signal”
The President of the Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), Hildegard Müller, described the customs announcement as a fatal signal for free and rule-based trade. “The tariffs that are to come into force from April 2 are a significant burden for both companies and the closely interwoven global supply chains of the automotive industry – with negative consequences, especially for consumers – also in North America,” said Müller in a message from the VDA.
In addition, additional tariffs would have significant negative effects on exports from the EU to the United States, said the VDA President. The German automotive industry therefore calls for a bilateral agreement between the United States and the EU.
For the German auto industry, the USA is the most important sales market, as the latest figures in the Federal Statistical Office show. With a share of 13.1 percent, they were at the front of exports, followed by Great Britain (11.3 percent) and France (7.4 percent). According to the Association of the Automotive Industry, exports to the United States have increased to the previous year.
