EU Tackles US Auto Tariffs
Last Thursday, the 25% tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on imported vehicles came into effect, sparking concern across the European automotive sector, CE Report quotes PAP
European leaders, including former European Council President Donald Tusk, met with Polish auto industry representatives, including Industry Minister Marzena Czarnecka and Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski, to discuss mitigating the negative effects of these tariffs.
Tusk emphasized the need for a coordinated European response and announced plans to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for further discussions. The US also introduced additional tariffs on imports from the EU, with a 20% blanket levy, which could potentially reduce Poland’s GDP by 0.4% and result in losses exceeding EUR 2.4 billion.
Jakub Farys, president of the Polish Automotive Industry Association, highlighted the importance of creating an intergovernmental team to address ongoing challenges in the sector. He stressed that while the tariffs were a major concern, the broader issues facing the automotive industry, including energy transition and job protection, needed attention.
Industry leaders like Tomasz Beben of the Automotive Parts Distributors Association also called for diplomatic dialogue to avoid a trade war, stressing that both sides should seek a resolution to prevent further harm to the industry.
The meeting underscored the need for proactive measures to protect the Polish automotive sector, a vital part of the national economy.
