usatoday24
With a table in the hand and presuming to apply fewer tariffs than, it is supposed, the world is applying against the United States. This has been presented Donald Trump in what he has called “Liberation Day” to the media to confirm the application of new tariffs
And when we say “the world”, capitalized, it is not an exaggeration. China, Europe, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, India, Switzerland, Malaysia … the list could follow Until adding 200 countries or regions. Literally. All these countries or regions are those that will have to Assume new US tariffs If you want to sell their products in the country.
They are tariffs that will apply especially types of products Because, according to Donald Trump, his country is harmed in the purchase and sale of these goods or in their production. Based, all countries will have to pay 10% tariffs, whatever product. From there, up. And also specific rates are maintained to some sectors.
The most punished, without any doubt, 25% to cars.
Its impact is our consumption
As We said a few days agothe direct impact of imposing 25% on cars that enter the United States is irrelevant for one of the most important industries in our country. The direct impact, that is important to point it out.
Spain specializes in the export of cheap vehicles. Since it does not export the Mercedes Vito and Ford Transit to the United Statesits trade with the American country is practically non -existent, so the increase in cars that could reach it is irrelevant.
Our country is the Second major exporter of cars of the European Union but the primary business is sales to the European Union itself or countries of the continent. By philosophy, the utilities we manufacture in Spain are very unattractive in the United States. And more if we take into account that we are jumping to electrical technology. Small and electric car is so uncompeitive in the country that Fiat was practically giving his fiat 500e.
But all this does not mean that we do not suffer with all this tariff offensive.
Impose a 20% tariff to the European Union (Independent of the mentioned to cars, steel or aluminum) and 34% to China, from 32% to Taiwan, 46% to Vietnam or from 24% to Japan, among others, it will make the purchase of cars, textiles and even raw materials as basic as rice.
The problem is that The United States has lived in constant relocation For decades. Moving all that production to American soil is impossible in the short term and the direct and imminent consequence is, everything indicates, more expensive products. A loss of purchasing power That, indeed, it affects us.
Because in a hyperconnected world, which BMW, Mercedes or Volkswagen sell less cars in the United States directly affects their results accounts. Goldman Sachs Calculate that Increase in the price of cars It will go from 5,000 to $ 15,000, depending on the type of vehicle and its base price.
If this happens, it will fall as a waterfall to the employees to whom there will be less money to continue paying and, in turn, will cost them more money to make consumer goods. At the moment, the trust of US consumers has already fallen to values of 2021, according to Bloomberg.
When the Economy is aimed at a recessionone of the sectors that most usually suffers is that of the car. Keep in mind that the car is one of the greatest investments we make throughout our lives. For disbursement, it is usually the most important after the purchase of a house. When the economy enters crisis, Renewal times are lengthened and Less cars are sold.
The 2008 crisis brought with him a Huge drop in car sale. That year, Spain returned to 1997 in terms of productive volume with An interannual fall of 12%. In our country, in 2006 1.6 million cars were enrolled and in 2012 The million had not been exceeded of units sold.
Obviously, Spain is not in the 2008 pre -crisis bubble but we must look at countries like Germany. The German country is the main buyer of Spanish vehiclesfollowed by France. Has based much of its economy on exports And those of cars is the most remarkable to the point of being the first European and sixth producer and exporter in the world, with more than 4.1 million exported units (Spain did not reach 2.5 million last year).
The German country has already added two years in a row in recession And the prospects for this 2025 was to grow very little. As little as just 0.3%. Calculations that were made before the announcement of the new tariffs presented last night. For its part, France grew last year 1.1% But household investment fell 6%. Again, everything points to lower consumption.
The positive part is that Spain is facing a conversion betting on electric mobility. Although in Spain cars with combustion and cheap engines continue to lead the market, European manufacturers need to start selling all the electric ones that can go to go compensating emissions for 2027. And that implies lowering prices and making them more competitive in front of gasoline cars.
What is evident is that an economy in recession or stops only negatively impacts the sale of vehicles. And that sale of vehicles depends on the 10% of Spanish GDP.
Photo | The White House and Volkswagen
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