German car exports to the United States dropped sharply in April and May after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on vehicles and parts from the European Union, the VDA auto industry association (Verband der Automobilindustrie) said on Thursday.
Exports fell 13 percent in April and 25 percent in May compared to the same months last year. A total of 64,300 vehicles were shipped to the U.S. during those two months. The United States is the most important foreign market for German automakers.
In April, the U.S. introduced a 25 percent tariff on EU car imports, expanding it to car parts in May as part of efforts to support American industry. VDA president Hildegard Mueller said the tariffs have already cost German carmakers around half a billion euros in April alone.
Mueller called for urgent talks between the EU and the U.S., saying speed is critical. She said a free trade agreement should remain a long-term goal, but short-term progress is needed to protect the sector.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also urged the EU to move quickly to resolve the dispute in order to safeguard key industries, including cars, steel, and pharmaceuticals. President Trump has set a deadline of July 9 for reaching a deal with the EU.
