Polish PM meets with auto industry reps over US tariffs
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met on Tuesday with leading auto industry figures and ministers to discuss sweeping US tariffs imposed by the US.
Last Thursday, the global 25-percent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on imported vehicles took effect.
Besides Tusk, the meeting with the car industry representatives was attended by Industry Minister Marzena Czarnecka, Development Minister Krzysztof Paszyk and Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski.
"We have to seek out solutions and recommend actions on the European arena that will mitigate the negative effects of tariffs," Tusk said before the talks.
Tusk also said that this week, he will meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He sought suggestions from industry leaders to protect the Polish auto industry.
Last Wednesday, the US announced additional sweeping tariffs affecting numerous countries, including a 20-percent blanket levy on imports from the EU.
According to the prime minister, a preliminary assessment indicated these new taxes could reduce Poland's GDP by 0.4 percent, resulting in losses exceeding PLN 10 billion (EUR 2.4 bln).
Following the meeting, Jakub Farys, the president of the Polish Automotive Industry Association (PZPM), told PAP that the talks should be described as very good and business-like.
Farys added that representatives of the auto industry suggested that the government should set up an intergovernmental team to deal with the difficulties facing the sector, irrespective of the tariffs imposed by the US, as "it has many problems."
According to Farys, the meeting focused on two topics. "The first one concerned the situation after the imposition of the US tariffs, the EC reaction and the position of the Polish government," he said, adding that a response was needed, but "the escalation of tension is leading nowhere."
"The second part of the debate focused on the condition of the European auto industry, which is now facing a huge challenge, even a crisis," he continued.
Farys underlined that since the auto industry was important for the Polish economy, it was necessary to launch a debate on support for investors, the protection of jobs as well as energy and transport transition.
Tomasz Beben, the president of the Association of Automotive Parts Distributors and Producers (SDCM), told PAP that the EU should defend its interests but also aim for an agreement with the US.
"The last thing we need now, after all the turmoil the automotive industry has experienced, is a trade war. Both sides need to withdraw their artillery because the conflict will not benefit anyone," he said.
He supported the idea of an intergovernmental team as, in his opinion, it could have a comprehensive outlook on the auto industry, which is now monitored by several ministries. (PAP)
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