Prime Minister Donald Tusk appealed to US president Donald Trump to resign from the decision to introduce 25% tariffs on European cars. He stressed that the strong European Union, the US and NATO are in the common interest of both parties. The decision to introduce customs raises opposition from European leaders who fear the escalation of the trade war.
Donald Tusk addressed straight the US president and American allies, stressing the importance of common cooperation. "Cooperation is always better than confrontation," said the Prime Minister of Poland. Tusk recalled that Poland and Europe stay faithful allies of the United States. He called on Trump to reconsider the decision to introduce duties.
US president Donald Trump announced that as of April 2, he would introduce a 25% work on all passenger cars and light trucks imported from abroad. The rate to date was 2.5%, which means a ten-fold increase in fees. The changes will affect the economies of European countries that export vehicles to the US, including Germany, which, according to the data of the German Statistical Office in 2024, exported 3.4 million cars worth EUR 135 billion, of which 450 000 went to the US.
The Tuska appeal was made on the occasion of the signing of an agreement between Poland and the USA on method support for Patriot defence systems. Poland spends almost 5% of GDP on defence. He builds the largest army in Europe in cooperation with the US. “America could and can always number on Poland,” said Tusk. The Prime Minister stressed that the US should not treat its European allies as trade rivals, but as partners.
Trump's decision was met with harsh criticism in Europe. German economical minister Robert Habeck warned against the effects of this policy: "The EU must give a firm consequence to the duties," Habeck said. He besides called for urgent negotiations to avoid escalation of the trade war that could harm both the European and American economies.
It is worth noting that in 2024, the exports of cars from Europe to the US amounted to 1.4 million units, accounting for about 10% of the full exports of cars from Europe. The introduction of duties can origin crucial losses for European car manufacturers specified as Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, who export large volumes of vehicles to the US.
According to European Commission data, in 2024 the EU exported goods worth EUR 375 billion to the US, representing around 20% of the full EU exports. The introduction of tariffs on European cars can origin crucial losses for the European economy, which can besides be affected by workers and entrepreneurs.
In this context, Tusk's appeal to waive the duties on European cars is justified. Cooperation and partnership between the US and the EU are crucial to maintaining stableness and safety in the region. The introduction of customs could consequence in an escalation of the trade war, the consequences of which will affect not only the US and EU economies, but besides the global economy.
It is so crucial that the US and the EU conduct open and frank negotiations to find solutions that will benefit both parties. Poland, as a faithful ally of the US, should play a key function in these negotiations to guarantee that cooperation and partnership between the US and the EU are maintained.
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Cooperation and Confrontation: Prime Minister Donald Tusk calls for the waiver of tariffs on European cars
