Germany Says Europe Must Respond to Trump’s Auto Tariffs
Summary
President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on automobiles drew a sharp reaction on Thursday from Germany, which called on the European Union to hit back with a “firm response” to measures that would “harm the U.S. and the E.U., and global trade as a whole.” Mr. Trump announced on Wednesday that he would impose a 25 percent tariff on cars and car parts shipped to the United States, putting pressure on America’s top trade allies around the globe. The tariffs, which he said were permanent, will go into effect on April 3. The United States is a crucial market for Germany’s auto industry, which ships vehicles from automakers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen to American dealers. “It must be clear that we will not back down,” Robert Habeck, Germany’s economy minister, said in a statement on X. “Strength and self-confidence are required.”