Trump announces 25% tariffs on European cars

Donald Trump announced on Friday the imposition of 25% tariffs on European cars and trucks entering the United States , in a further escalation of trade tensions between Washington and Brussels . The measure, which according to the US president will take effect next week, directly impacts one of the European Union’s most important industrial sectors and adds uncertainty to the economic relationship between the two blocs.

In Aragon, the announcement is being followed closely due to the importance of the automotive industry in the region and the presence of Stellantis in Figueruelas , one of the sector’s major industrial plants in Spain.

The US president announced the decision via his social media account, Truth , where he accused the European Union of not complying with the trade agreement reached last summer. Trump warned that if the EU does not make progress on the agreed terms, European vehicles will be subject to the new 25% tariff.

THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, AT THE HEART OF THE NEW COMMERCIAL PULSE

Trump’s warning is aimed directly at the European automotive sector. The Republican president has argued that manufacturers producing cars and trucks within the United States will be exempt from the tariff , a way to pressure companies to increase their industrial production on American soil.

The measure represents a further step in the White House’s protectionist strategy and comes after months of trade tensions with Brussels. Until now, European products were subject to a general tariff of 15%, the result of negotiations between the two sides that concluded in 2025. The jump to 25% for vehicles escalates the conflict and hits one of the most sensitive sectors for Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.

The announcement has already triggered a reaction in US markets, with several automakers ‘ shares falling during trading on Wall Street. In Europe, stock exchanges remained closed for the May Day holiday, so the full impact of the decision will be seen in the coming trading sessions.

The new trade threat comes at a time when Aragon was already closely monitoring Trump’s tariffs on the European Union. Last summer, the implementation of the 15% general tariff opened a new front for several export sectors, including agri-food, wine, and automotive.