On May 2nd, Bernd Lange, Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, issued a statement regarding the threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to increase tariffs on cars imported from the EU to the United States. He stated that this U.S. action is "absolutely unacceptable," that the accusations made by the U.S. are untrue, that they demonstrate a lack of respect for the sovereignty of the EU, and that they reveal the U.S.'s unreliability.

Bernd Lange emphasized that the only effective response to arbitrary pressure from the U.S. is through clear rules. The EU must respond with a clear and firm stance, and fully utilize trade defense measures, including the tool against economic coercion, to maintain trade stability and protect jobs and economic development.

U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media on May 1st that, because the EU is not adhering to bilateral trade agreements with the U.S., the U.S. will increase import tariffs on cars from the EU to the United States next week. Trump stated that tariffs on cars from the EU to the U.S. will increase to 25%. If these cars were manufactured in the U.S., the tariffs would not apply.

CMG