Urgent Call for EU-US Trade Agreement as Auto Exports Soar to €31 Billion

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) is pushing for the swift finalization of the EU-US trade agreement ahead of the trilogue meetings scheduled for May 6. The group asserts that a rapid resolution could yield significant advantages for car exports from Europe.

ACEA has expressed gratitude for the robust backing from the European Parliament and the collaborative efforts of the Council of the European Union. They emphasized the importance of rapidly completing the agreement to provide clarity for the automotive sector, enabling companies to maximize their gains from the deal.

The United States ranks as the second-largest market for European car exports, following the United Kingdom. By 2025, it constituted 18.4% of overall EU car exports, with approximately 670,000 new vehicles shipped to the US, valued at €31 billion.

The report also noted a rise in exports of clean vehicles, with battery electric vehicles accounting for 12% of shipments to the US in 2025. A total of 80,205 electric cars were exported, amounting to nearly €4 billion.

ACEA highlighted that European manufacturers produce around 830,000 vehicles annually within the US, with 50% to 60% of these exported to other nations, including back to Europe. This underscores the critical nature of stable trade relations between the two areas.

The European automotive industry is a vital contributor to the economy, supporting approximately 13.6 million jobs—8.1% of the EU’s total manufacturing workforce. The sector accounts for more than 8% of the EU’s GDP, generates a trade surplus of €93.9 billion, and invests €84.6 billion annually in R&D.

ACEA is urging both the European Parliament and the Council to collaborate and swiftly reach an agreement, asserting that timely action will bolster the global competitiveness of the automotive sector in Europe.