The new US tariffs raise many questions: How hard will you hit the German auto industry? And can Tesla, the company of Trump’s “Best Buddy” Elon Musk, benefit from this?
Which new tariffs plans to car imports?
US President Donald Trump has announced penalty tariffs from 25 percent on auto imports to the United States. These tariffs should apply to all cars and light commercial vehicles that have not been produced in the USA. The new taxes come into force on April 3 and are due in addition to the tariffs already introduced on steel and aluminum as well as goods from Mexico, Canada and China.
And what about auto parts?
At the latest on May 3, tariffs of 25 percent should also come into force on auto parts imported to the USA. This affects this for automotive production, important goods such as engines, gears, drive parts and electrical components are affected. An exact list of specification is still to be published.
Auto importers within the framework of the USA-Mexico-Kanada Agreement (USMCA) are given the option of certifying their US shares, so that only non-US-American components are taxed, according to the White House.
Martin Gornig, Institute for Economic Research in Berlin, on the US Collarhammer and its effects
Why does Trump do that?
Trump sees a tried -and -tested means of increasing state revenue in the taxes to compensate for his promised tax cuts. When the new tariffs were announced, the US President again confirmed that he would expect the auto duties to move the car manufacturers to increase their investments in the United States instead of increasing in Canada or Mexico.
Observers assume that Trump will ultimately use the auto tariffs as a means of pressure for a better negotiating position in order to negotiate a deal that is favorable for the USA – especially with a view to the EU. “One of the reasons why I introduce tariffs is that we take millions of their cars – BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz,” said the 78 -year -old. At the same time, it is “almost impossible” to import US cars into the EU.
Which countries particularly affect the new tariffs?
Almost half of all cars sold in the USA last year were imported, according to the market research company Globaldata. The United States imports completed cars and light trucks up to five tons, especially from Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Canada and Germany – all of the united of the United States.
According to a Commerzbank study, Germany is in fifth place with imports of $ 26 billion. Other EU countries such as Italy or Sweden are less affected by the new tariffs with US car imports of four billion dollars.
How hard will the tariffs meet Germany?
Many experts initially consider the consequences for the overall economy to be manageable; The corresponding industries and regions should make it all the harder. Industry experts see in the tenfold of tariffs on auto imports from the EU – so far only 2.5 percent have been due – a difficult blow for the already crousing German automotive industry. After all, according to the Federal Statistical Office, the USA was the most important customer country for German auto exports in 2024 with a share of 13.1 percent and a volume of $ 34 billion.
German car manufacturers already produce in the USA, but that only makes a fraction of the sales there. According to the research company Global Data, 81 percent of all Volkswagen automotive purchases in the USA are imports. At Mercedes-Benz, the proportion is 65 percent, 63 percent for BMW.
What are the consequences for car production in the USA?
The new US tariffs are likely to hinder automotive production across North America. The reason for this lies in the close integration of automobile manufacturers and suppliers in Canada, Mexico and the USA, which has developed in the past three decades.
When the tariffs come into force, the US automotive service provider COX Automotive expects disorders of “practically total” North American vehicle production until mid-April. This would lead to 20,000 vehicles less per day or a decline in production of around 30 percent.
Are the new tariffs an advantage for Tesla?
According to Trump, the announced tariffs for Tesla could have a “neutral” or even “positive” effect. “He has a great work in Texas. He has a great work in California. And everyone who has works in the United States will be good in my opinion,” said Trump about Tesla boss Elon Musk. He added that his narrow ally musk did not advise him regarding the auto duties.
At the same time, the tariffs would “affect prices for parts for Tesla cars that come from other countries,” wrote Trump in a further contribution to X. “The cost effects are not insignificant.” Tesla produces all cars sold in the USA, but with some imported parts.
How will the EU react?
According to Trump’s announcements, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the EU is still open to a negotiating solution, but will defend “its economic interests”. The EU had previously announced that the special tariffs are currently exposed to US products such as jeans, bourbon whiskey, motorcycles and peanut butter. Now new special taxes could be added that could theoretically also hit US tech companies such as Tesla.
So far, however, the EU has been holding back with concrete public statements – probably also to make the calculation more difficult for the Trump administration. In addition, a harsh reaction from the EU also harbors risks: Trump said today that he could prove the EU and Canada with higher tariffs if they merged into joint retaliation measures.
What do the auto tariffs mean for US consumers?
Industry experts assume that the new tariffs will make production and sale of cars more expensive in the United States. Ultimately, this could lead to higher prices and less selection for consumers in the USA. If the new taxes are maintained over a longer period of time, you could increase the purchase price of an average US car by thousands of dollars.
In addition, in view of the Trump customs policy, an increase in inflation rate in the United States is becoming increasingly more likely. The logical consequence: The US Federal Reserve Fed would have to counteract and not lower or even raise interest rates. This would increase the loan costs and mortgage interest in the United States. This means that consumers in the United States clearly belong to the victims of Trump’s customs policy.
