President Trump Threatens EU with 20% Tariff on Auto Imports

The EU has planned to issue retaliatory tariffs in response.

June 26, 2018

President Trump Threatens EU with 20% Tariff on Auto Imports — President Donald Trump tweeted about imposing tariffs on European automakers in response to EU tariffs on American products.
Photo via Gage Skidmore/Flickr.

1 min to read

President Donald Trump issued a threat to impose a 20% tariff on imported cars from the European Union.

The statement, made via Twitter, was made in response to the EU imposing $3.3 billion in tariffs on the United States, after Trump proposed cutting imports on aluminum and steel. The threat could lead to escalating global trade tensions between the two governing bodies. According to a European Commission memo, the EU planned to respond with equivalent tariffs on the U.S.

Following the tweet, Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG, and BMW AG shares dropped in value, while U.S. car companies also saw declines in the stock market.

EU car exports to the U.S. total about $44 billion per year in trade.

Related: Trump Floats Tariffs on Imported Vehicles, Parts

Topics:European Union Imports Donald Trump Tariffs Trade Agreements Global Fleet

More Global Fleet

A person holding a clipboard and writing on an inspection checklist beside the wheel of a large white vehicle, likely conducting a fleet or safety inspection.

Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention

Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.

Cover of a whitepaper titled “The Hidden Costs of Departmentally Assigned Vehicles on Your Fleet” featuring a black fleet vehicle driving on a road at sunset. Subheadline reads: “Discover how your fleet can reduce costs and minimize risk by implementing vehicle sharing.” The document focuses on fleet optimization, vehicle sharing, cost reduction, utilization tracking, and risk management for fleet operations.

Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools

Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.

Fleet Costs Are Rising: Here’s How Leaders Are Responding

Fleet leaders are under pressure to reduce costs, adapt to economic uncertainty, and make smarter decisions. See how peers across North America are responding with real data, proven strategies, and forward-looking insights. Download the 2026 Market Pulse Report to benchmark your strategy and uncover where you can gain an edge.