It seems like US is not in a good relationship with German automakers since Donald Trump was elected as the new president. He threatened them with a hefty import tax if they plan to sell cars in the United States that were built in other countries, repeating a claim that has shaken the global automotive industry and its biggest players at home and abroad.
The new president said that they can build cars anywhere in the world, but for every car that comes to the USA, they will have to pay 35 percent tax. Trump has issued similar warnings, via Twitter, to Ford, GM and Toyota. But Reuters reports that the proposition of a tariff has already stoked tensions in Germany, the largest U.S. trading partner in Europe and a key political ally throughout the Obama administration.
The German Association of the Automotive Industry reiterated those figures Monday after Trump’s comments were published. It is unclear whether Trump’s tariff threat would turn into actual policy, and whether such a policy would have the political support to pass through Congress.
