Overview

• Bavarian Minister Hubert Aiwanger and the Bavarian Industry Association (vbw) oppose EU retaliatory tariffs, advocating for de-escalation in the US-EU trade conflict.
• Aiwanger highlighted that many cars imported from the US to Europe are German-made, warning that retaliatory tariffs could backfire on German automakers like BMW and Mercedes.
• The US has imposed 10% tariffs on European goods for 90 days, down from an initially announced 20%, alongside a 25% tariff on auto imports.
• Bavarian leaders emphasized that escalating the trade dispute risks damaging Bavaria's key industries, especially automotive and mechanical engineering, which are critical to the region's economy.
• The vbw suggested that the EU consider unilaterally lowering tariffs on US products as a gesture of cooperation to defuse tensions.