"It's good that the European Parliament has finally approved the US tariff agreement. The EU Council must now also formally adopt the outcome without delay. One thing is clear: all parties must abide by the agreement reached last summer. This includes the US President withdrawing his current tariff threats as soon as the EU has fulfilled its commitments.

Reliable framework conditions are of central importance to our companies. For this reason, the VDA has fundamentally welcomed the customs agreement between the USA and the EU announced in 2025. At the same time, however, the currently applicable US tariffs of 15% on passenger cars and their parts continue to pose a significant challenge for the German automotive industry.

Finding a solution—including for heavy commercial vehicles and buses—is now of critical, existential importance to the industry. The additional US tariffs in effect since November 1, 2025—25% on European commercial vehicles and their parts, plus an extra 10% on buses—impose a significant burden on the affected companies. The additional tariffs on truck parts hit the industry’s many suppliers particularly hard. Moreover, they undermine investments and jobs in the US, weaken supply chains, drive up costs across the entire value chain, and will ultimately burden consumers as well. German and European automotive products do not threaten US security—the justification cited for the tariffs. On the contrary, our companies contribute to stable supply chains and, by extension, economic security, thereby serving the interests of consumers. Only through open markets, investments, innovation, and jobs may be sustainably secured on both sides of the Atlantic."