Customs spiral threatens: Lower Saxony is fighting US customs policy!

Customs spiral threatens: Lower Saxony is fighting US customs policy!

Lüneburg, Deutschland - The economy of North Rhine-Westphalia can adapt to serious challenges. Already on August 1, 2025, US President Donald Trump is planning to introduce drastic import duties from 30 percent to goods from the EU. This announcement ensures concern, not only in the USA, but also in the European economy, as the IHK Lüneburg-Wolfsburg clarifies in a current statement. General Managing Director Michael Zeinert warns of an impending customs spiral and calls for a clear EU strategy to cushion the negative consequences. "A good hand now has to be proven," says Zeinert, who at the same time indicates the need for new trading partners and less bureaucracy.

The effects of these tariffs could particularly affect the Lower Saxony industry, since the proportion of exports to America in 2024 was already 7.2 percent, which corresponds to around 7.3 billion euros. Above all, the sectors motor vehicles, machines and chemical products were the most under pressure if there is actually an escalation of the customs situation. According to Lueneburgaktuell.de) Motor vehicles and vehicle parts as well as machines and chemical pre-products are among the most important product groups for export to the USA.

Europe in the Zwickmühle

The EU sees itself in the dilemma, since the upcoming customs duty could not only burden the companies based there, but also the US economy itself. Economic experts report that the price pressure in the USA would increase, which would also have no positive consequences for the country. This makes the entire situation particularly sensitive, because the hope of the German economy for a less high duty rate of ten percent was severely disappointed by the announced increase, such as [Manager-Magazin] (https://www.manager-magazin.de/politik/donald-trumps-zollpro- Effects-de-wirtschaft-analysiert-a-a-e-e-e-e-e-e-e--e9de674-b109-9380-5034cc3).

The Federal Association of German Industry (BDI) has interpreted the customs announcement as a "alarm signal" that concerns both European and American industry. In addition, the chairman of the trade committee in the European Parliament, Bernd Lange, emphasizes the importance of reacting against the increase in customs. He calls on the EU to activate a list of possible compensation measures. At the same time, it remains to be seen whether Trump may, as in the past, refrain from the plans.

strategies for the future

While the EU is working on an agreement with the USA, time remains pressing. If there is no agreement during the negotiations, the industries concerned are required to react quickly to the changing market conditions. As zdfheute reports, it remains to be seen the countermeasures the EU has in the back. The drama of this planned customs increase cannot be underestimated, both for the European and the American economy.