Germany's VDA Floats Idea of Easing European Emission Standards
German auto industry lobby group VDA suggests The EU must consider relaxing its vehicle emission standards in response to U.S.
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German auto industry lobby group VDA suggests The EU must consider relaxing its vehicle emission standards in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision last week to quit the Paris climate-change pact.
VDA calls Trump’s decision “regrettable.” But the powerful group opines that Europe must adjust its own climate policies accordingly so it can remain competitive with the U.S. American carmakers have vowed to continue pursuing cleaner vehicles. It isn’t clear whether Trump, who once described the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as “out of control,” might attempt to roll back current emission standards.
President Matthias Wissmann says Europe’s ability to contribute to climate protection will depend in large measure on its ability to defend the market positions of its major industries. “This correlation,” he asserts, “is often underestimated.”
VDA represents BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen. The group, which complains that Germany’s energy costs are already higher than in the U.S., has lobbied for year to moderate emission and fuel economy limits for the sake of maintaining a strong German auto industry.
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