German car lobby urges action on EU-US trade deal delays

Delays to implementing an EU-US trade deal are costing carmakers billions, Germany’s car lobby said on Tuesday, as it pressed Berlin and Brussels to get Washington to implement the agreement in full.

“The deal between the EU and USA has so far brought no clarity and no improvement for the German car industry,” said Hildegard Mueller, head of the VDA auto lobby in comments to business daily Handelsblatt.

“The costs have already run to the billions and are rising further,” she added.

US President Donald Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck a deal at the end of July which the EU said would reduce Washington’s auto tariff from 27.5% to 15%.