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German auto lobby welcomes lower US tariffs but says EU must push further

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 25, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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German auto lobby welcomes lower US tariffs but says EU must push further
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BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's VDA car industry association on Thursday welcomed the United States lowering tariffs retroactively from August 1 but said exporters still faced challenging trade barriers.

German Auto Industry Applauds US Tariff Reductions, Urges EU Action

Impact of US Tariff Changes on German Auto Industry

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's VDA car industry association on Thursday welcomed the United States lowering tariffs retroactively from August 1 but said exporters still faced challenging trade barriers.

Response from VDA President

"This is an important step," VDA President Hildegard Mueller said in a statement, after President Donald Trump's administration said it was formally implementing the U.S. trade agreement with the European Union.

Call for Continued EU Advocacy

"At the same time, it should be noted that even the U.S. tariffs now in force ... remain a tangible challenge for the German automotive industry," she said, calling on the EU to continue lobbying for better transatlantic trade conditions.

(Reporting by Rachel More, Editing by Friederike Heine)

Key Takeaways

  • The US has reduced tariffs on German auto exports.
  • The VDA welcomes the tariff reduction as a positive step.
  • Challenges remain for German exporters despite tariff cuts.
  • VDA President calls for continued EU advocacy in trade talks.
  • The US-EU trade agreement is being formally implemented.

Frequently Asked Questions

What recent action did the US take regarding tariffs?
The United States lowered tariffs retroactively from August 1, which was welcomed by Germany's VDA car industry association.
Who is the President of the VDA?
Hildegard Mueller is the President of the VDA and she commented on the importance of the tariff reduction.
What challenges does the German automotive industry still face?
Despite the tariff reductions, the German automotive industry still faces challenging trade barriers that remain a tangible challenge.
What did Hildegard Mueller urge the EU to do?
Hildegard Mueller called on the EU to continue lobbying for further reductions in trade barriers.

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