Europe’s busiest container port, Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, has unexpectedly become a giant car park as thousands of U.S.-bound vehicles sit idle. Car manufacturers are scrambling amid looming tariffs announced by President Donald Trump, which would impose a 30% charge on EU imports starting August 1.
Early figures reveal a nearly 16% drop in exports of new passenger cars and vans during the first half of 2025, with May showing a significant downturn right after Trump’s tariff announcement—nicknamed the 'Liberation Day' tariffs. 🚗🚙
The port management warned that the outlook for the second half of the year is uncertain, heavily dependent on whether EU and U.S. negotiators can reach a trade agreement by the August deadline.
This scenario is a vivid example of how sudden policy shifts can disrupt global trade flows, impacting not only large manufacturers but also local economies. As the cars pile up like an unintended parking lot, the world watches to see how this trade drama will evolve.
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EU port turned into 'giant car park' amid looming Trump tariffs
cgtn.com
