President Donald Trump The European Union closed during a joint press conference with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday claims that Europe has used unfair rules and regulations to keep American cars out of its markets.
“They drop a bowling ball on top of your car from 20 feet, and if there is a small dent, they say:” No, I am not sorry, your car is not eligible, “Trump said and described what he called” not -monetary barriers “that make it almost impossible for American vehicles to get European tests.
“The same car from Germany or any (other country) would also dent – unless you get an army tank, it goes dent,” he added.
Don’t miss:
“So they come up with rules and regulations that have just been designed for one reason – that you cannot sell your product in those countries. And we will not let that happen.”
According to the German news agency Deutsche PresseGentur, the Tüv Süd Testing Authority and the KBA Motor Vehicle Authority of the country that such a test does not exist for dent problems. However, similar tests are used for windscreens and uniform for all vehicles.
A broken windshield is normal and does not lead to a failed test, a Tüv Süd spokesperson told DPA.
Trump said that while the US allows the European vehicles in the country every year, American car manufacturers are confronted with a stacked deck when they try to sell abroad. “They send millions and millions of cars to the US, but we don’t have a car that has been sold to the European Union,” he said.
He criticized the rate of 10% of the EU on imported American vehicles, compared to the 2.5% that the US is currently charging on European cars, and said that the current trading structure was “formed to really harm the United States.”
“We will no longer be the stupid people,” he said.
Trending: Hasbro, MGM and Skechers rely on this AI marketing company – Invest pre-ipo now from $ 0.55 per share.
Trump’s comments come because he implemented a radical rate of 20%, but also an import rate of 25% on steel, aluminum and cars. However, the reasons why American cars are struggling in Europe goes beyond the policy.
For example, there are practical problems in the game. The historic cities and narrow streets of Europe are simply not built for huge American trucks and SUVs. “Try to go around Italy in a big SUV. I did it, and it’s very difficult,” Auto analyst Hampus Engellau told the BBC.
Fuel efficiency is another factor. Because fuel in Europe is more expensive than in the US, drivers tend to choose smaller, more efficient vehicles above large gas driven.
In 2022, the EU exported 692,334 cars to the US, worth $ 39 billion, while the US sent just over 116,000 vehicles to Europe, according to the BBC about $ 5.7 billion worth around $ 5.7 billion. Trump says that this imbalance shows that the system has been broken.
See also: Invest in the future of digital involvement. Today owns a piece of $ 100 billion metaverse for just $ 500.
European brands such as BMW, Volkswagen and Mercedes continue to gain ground on the American market, while American brands withdrew from Europe. For example, Ford Motor (NYSE: F) has shifted from small passenger cars and to electric and commercial vehicles.
Trump insists that the rates are crucial for the reconstruction of American production. “Rates will make this country very rich,” he said. “We are going to put a great trade and we will be honest for other countries.”
But even Trump acknowledged that it will take time to speed up our car production time. “You have to build something that is called a factory,” he said. “You have to build your energy. You have to do a lot of things.”
For the time being, the dispute between the US and Europe about Autohandel will remain unsolved, but the pressure is building on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
Read next:
Unlocked: 5 new transactions every week. Click to get top trading ideas dailyPlus unlimited access to advanced tools and strategies to get a lead in the markets.
Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga?
This article “They drop a bowling ball on your car from 20 feet,” says Trump, who mocked European rules that our cars originally appeared on Benzinga.com appeared on Benzinga.com
© 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.