Donald Trump's new 25% tariff on foreign-made vehicles impacts automakers worldwide.
Automotive share prices fell sharply following the announcement of a new 25% tariff on foreign-made vehicles by former President
Donald Trump.
In the United States, shares of General Motors dropped by 6.2%, while Ford experienced a decline of 4.7%.
Meanwhile, the British manufacturer Aston Martin saw its stock fall by 6%, marking a record low for the company.
The tariff announcement signals a continuation of escalating trade tensions, with the new policy set to take effect on April 3. The automotive sector is crucial for the United Kingdom, being the country’s largest export industry.
In response to the tariff, Rachel Reeves, the UK Chancellor, indicated that the government does not plan to impose retaliatory tariffs on US goods at this time, despite the significant implications of the announcement.
Reeves noted the importance of avoiding an escalation of the trade war, stating that conflicts of this nature ultimately benefit no one.
The UK government is prioritizing efforts to secure favorable trade agreements with the US.
The announcement has had a widespread impact on stock markets, leading to a two-week low for European automotive stocks.
In Germany, Volkswagen shares fell by 3.6%, while
Mercedes-Benz recorded a decline of 5.5%, and BMW's shares dropped by 3.9%.
Stellantis, the parent company of several brands, saw its stock decrease by 6.4%, and Porsche's shares fell by 4.2%.
Swedish automaker Volvo Cars reported a decline of approximately 2.5%.
The fallout from the tariff was not confined to Europe.
In Japan, Toyota's stock fell by 2%, Honda dropped by 2.5%, and Nissan saw a decline of 1.7%.
South Korean automaker Hyundai faced a reduction of 4.3%.
This widespread trend among global automakers reflects the significant repercussions of trade policy on the automotive sector.