20%tariffs, to begin with all the countries of the European Union. That has been one of Donald Trump’s great ads last morning. The president of the United States has confirmed an almost endless list of new taxes to a total of 200 countries and regions. And, in addition, some specific ones are maintained.
Among them, those related to the automobile industry.
25%. That is the tax that The United States Government will charge To all cars and pieces to make cars that enter through its borders. At least that is the intention of the US administration that has maintained these rates despite the concrete impositions to countries or organizations.
This implies that a car that is manufactured in the United States will also have to pay A 25% extra cost For each and every one of the pieces that have been exported to the country. For example, if the battery of an electric car is manufactured outside its borders, said vehicle will have 25% of that battery.
Tariffs to countries. This measure has not prevented Donald Trump from announcing new tariffs yesterday night. These new economic walls country will apply by country (or the sum of them, like the European Union). Implies that Europe will pay 20% For each and every one of the exports that makes the United States.
Spain, for example, has in its Olive wine and oil exports to the United States as one of its main markets. If you want to continue operating in the country, companies will have to pay 20% more for their products to enter through their borders.
However, these generalized tariffs do not apply if a specific industry has a higher tax. As 25% to the automobile industry is greater than 20% that the products of the European Union receive, the highest section is applied.
Little affected … The automobile industry in Spain will be little affected. At least directly. This occurs because most of the cars that are manufactured in Spain are small and of contained prices. That is, they are The perfect product to sell in the European Union That, in fact, it is with much the main buyer of cars Made in Spain.
In fact, mass vehicles are not exported to the United States. Some time ago it was done with the Mercedes Vito and the Ford Transit. However, no car or van is currently sent.
… more or less. That the automobile industry does not directly suffer the designs of the new United States government does not mean that 20% tariffs to the European Union and 25% to cars are not a problem.
Keep in mind that with such high tariffs an increase in short -term prices is expected, which, in turn, results in an economic deceleration and lower consumption. It is a threat to Germany, that does not go through its best moment And it is also the main car buyer in Spain. Of course, it is not good news that the European buyer has less money in his pocket.
The component industry. Those who will be more affected by the 25% tariff to the non -American car are component manufacturers to produce cars. This industry represents more than 25.6 billion euros in Spain, According to Sernauto data.
The Spanish Association of Automotive Suppliers (SERNAUTO) points out that 65% of the exports that Spain carries out in this sector are destined for the European Union, adding more than 16,600 million euros. Again, Germany (3,950 million euros) and France (3,840 million euros) were the main commercial partners.
The role of the United States is much more content. It is the eighth country by business volume to which Spain exports its components. However, the association indicates that it is a strategic market, with high added value and key indirect dependencies.
Beyond the direct tax. Beyond the 1,021 million euros that the export of components for automotive to the United States is calculated, the sector is enduring breathing because it ensures that the Spanish component industry has a great presence in Mexico.
So much Mexico like Canada await What measures Donald Trump finally takes with these countries. Historical commercial allies, the president of the United States has repeatedly threatened them with raising new levies against them. This would be a greater coup for the interests of Spanish companies.
In addition, we must add that an increase in the price of the products that Germany exports to the United States can force productive costs to be cut and, therefore, other commercial partners are studied. Here, it is impressible for Spain to remain competitive so as not to be replaced by suppliers that offer their products at a lower price.
Government response. For the moment, The European Union waits until April 9 To vote what measures it takes against tariffs that the United States to Imports of Steel and Aluminum (keys also in vehicle production). Besides, hope to have this Friday A meeting with American representatives.
From the Government, Pedro Sánchez has announced that a source of support to the sectors affected by exports worth 14,100 million euros will open. Of these, 6,000 million euros in two ICO guarantees of 6,000 million, a 200 million euros investment support fund for new plants and the network mechanism “to maintain templates similar to how ERTe acted during the pandemic”, in words collected by The country.
Photo | The White House and Sernauto
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