Brussels, 13 March 2019 – Ahead of a vote in the European Parliament tomorrow, auto makers are calling upon MEPs to back the European Commission’s request to start trade talks with the United States.
Tomorrow, the European Parliament will issue a non-binding resolution on the draft negotiating mandate which the European Commission submitted to member states in January. This mandate focuses on eliminating tariffs from industrial goods, including motor vehicles.
EU-US auto-related trade currently accounts for some 10% of total trade between the two regions. Auto manufacturers active in both Europe and the US are global players with strong interests and investments in both regions.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) supports negotiations on a trade deal that would remove tariffs and enhance regulatory cooperation between the EU and the US. Opening such talks would ease trade tensions and decrease the likelihood that the US would impose duties on EU imports of automobiles and auto parts.
Erik Jonnaert, ACEA Secretary General: “The automobile industry is a major force for economic growth and employment. It is not only in Europe’s best economic interest to commence transatlantic trade talks, but it is also in the interest of the US and global economies, not to mention consumers worldwide.”
Once the Parliament has voted, the Council of Ministers must approve the proposals before the Commission can start negotiations.
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Notes for editors
About ACEA
- ACEA represents the 15 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus manufacturers: BMW Group, CNH Industrial, DAF Trucks, Daimler, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Jaguar Land Rover, PSA Group, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, and Volvo Group.
- More information can be found on www.acea.be or @ACEA_eu.
- Contact: Cara McLaughlin, Communications Director, cm@acea.be, +32 2 738 73 45 or +32 485 88 66 47.
About the EU automobile industry
- 13.3 million people – or 6.1% of the EU employed population – work directly and indirectly in the sector.
- The 3.4 million jobs in automotive manufacturing represent over 11% of total EU manufacturing employment.
- Motor vehicles account for some €413 billion in tax contributions in the EU15.
- The sector is also a key driver of knowledge and innovation, representing Europe’s largest private contributor to R&D, with €54 billion invested annually.
- The automobile industry generates a trade surplus of €90.3 billion for the EU.