Published

BMW, Daimler, VW Ready for White House Meeting on Tariffs

Germany’s Big Three carmakers are prepared to meet with U.S. trade officials to discuss trade tariffs on their vehicles—as soon as they are invited to do so, Reuters reports.
#economics

Share

Germany’s Big Three carmakers are prepared to meet with U.S. trade officials to discuss trade tariffs on their vehicles—as soon as they are invited to do so, Reuters reports.

Last week Handelsblatt and Bloomberg News reported on the would-be meeting and said it could occur as soon as this week. Sources tell Reuters that the meeting is planned. The three carmakers tell the news service that their CEOs are poised to attend on short notice, but they say no formal invitation has been made.

The carmakers are making it clear that they can’t dictate European Union trade policy. But a Reuters source says the companies are intent to help find a way to avoid the 25% tariffs President Donald Trump has threatened to impose unless the EU takes steps to lower its overall trade surplus with the U.S.

The EU currently imposes a 10% import tariff on foreign cars. The U.S. charges taxes of 2.5% on imported cars and 25% on light-duty trucks.

RELATED CONTENT

  • Mazda, CARB and PSA North America: Car Talk

    The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefing Seminars, an annual event, was held last week in Traverse City, Michigan.

  • On Headlights, Tesla's Autopilot, VW's Electric Activities and More

    Seeing better when driving at night, understanding the limits of “Autopilot,” Volkswagen’s electric activities, and more.

  • China and U.S. OEMs

    When Ford announced its 3rd quarter earning on October 24, the official announcement said, in part, “Company revenue was up 3 percent year over year, with net income and company adjusted EBIT both down year over year, primarily driven by continued challenges in China.” The previous day, perhaps as a preemptive move to answer the question “If things are going poorly in China, what are you doing about it?, Ford announced that it was establishing Ford China as a stand-alone business unit.

Gardner Business Media - Strategic Business Solutions