Thousands of vehicles sit idle at EU port as Trump’s tariffs leave their mark | Automotive industry

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has been was an enormous automotive park with 1000’s of vehicles, vans, vehicles and tractors certain for the US sitting idle as producers attempt to avert the worst of Donald Trump’s tariffs.Figures launched by the port present a 15.9% drop within the transport of recent passenger vehicles and vans to the US within the first six months of 2025 in contrast with the identical interval final 12 months, with a pointy decline rising in Could – one month after the US president introduced his “liberation day” tariffs.Exports of vehicles and what they name “excessive and heavy tools” is down by nearly a 3rd at 31.5%.This class consists of tractors and development autos, with the autumn off in transatlantic actions maybe reflecting the affect a 25% tariff would have on autos that may price greater than $100,000 (£74,430).The port is likely one of the world’s largest automotive transport hubs, delivery greater than 3m autos around the globe in 2024.“The outlook for the second half of the 12 months stays unsure. A lot will rely upon whether or not a commerce settlement between the EU and the US might be reached by 1 August,” the port stated in a press release.European carmakers from Volkswagen to Volvo had been hoping {that a} deal would have been sealed final week after Trump’s unique deadline for a tariff cope with the EU was as a consequence of expire.Earlier than Trump arrived within the White Home they paid a 2.5% tariff on exports however since April they’re being charged an additional 25%, including tens of 1000’s of {dollars} to the worth of a family-sized automotive within the US.Ports throughout Europe have been examined by Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic, the port congestion attributable to container shortages in 2024, with congestion a widespread problem throughout all northern ports, stated Justin Atkin, the UK and Eire port consultant of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.In contrast with Brexit, the tariff affect has been “extra of an on the spot shock” he stated.“With the pandemic, we had lockdown, then we have been out of lockdown, then again into lockdown, and folks obtained used to managing it after being unprepared. Whereas right here … individuals have talked about tariffs within the construct up [to Trump] however I don’t assume anybody anticipated the extent and the severity of the instantaneous motion.”The port couldn’t put a determine on the variety of vehicles ready to be transported however stated it was within the 1000’s.skip previous publication promotionSign as much as Enterprise TodayGet set for the working day – we’ll level you to all of the enterprise information and evaluation you want each morningPrivacy Discover: Newsletters might comprise information about charities, on-line advertisements, and content material funded by exterior events. For extra info see our Privateness Coverage. We use Google reCaptcha to guard our web site and the Google Privateness Coverage and Phrases of Service apply.after publication promotionAtkin stated there was additionally proof of Chinese language vehicles being stockpiled on the port, which can replicate a diversion of commerce from the US with Beijing grappling with tariff obstacles.Individually, disruption to docking schedules attributable to diversions dueto the battle within the Pink Sea, plus the elevated dimension of ships inglobal fleets, has meant containers are remaining on the port for up toeight days as a substitute of the same old 5.The US is the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’s second-biggest buying and selling associate after the UK and there’s proof that US exporters are additionally front-loading cargo to attempt to keep away from any retaliatory tariffs that the EU might impose within the occasion of a commerce struggle.Within the first half of the 12 months, inbound cargo from the US elevated by 17% with larger volumes of liquefied pure gasoline.