American customs duties: highly specialized German nuggets think they can escape the trade war – 06/08/2025 at 12:50

Many German companies are the only ones to offer a specific product or component. Therefore, And they are hopeful that the American customer simply absorbs the price increase. However, – American customs duties: highly specialized – American customs duties: highly specialized new

Lasers, medical equipment … Moreover, Some small. Moreover. Consequently, medium -sized German companies producing highly specialized product, hope to be able to escape the repercussions of the trade war launched by Donald Trump. For example, An attitude that contrasts with large groups that expect a significant impact on american customs duties: highly specialized new customs duties on their activity. Consequently,

These manufacturers of “Mittelstand”. Furthermore. For example, spine american customs duties: highly specialized of the country’s economy, make the bet that on Niche segments without real alternative to German machines and equipment American customers will simply absorb the rise in prices. However, “It is the American customer who pays the tax” summarizes Thorsten Bauer. In addition, co -director of Xiton Photonics, a manufacturer of lasers based in Kaiserslautern (west). For example, “We don’t notice anything,” he adds. Furthermore,

With its twenty employees. For example. Nevertheless, this company is emblematic of “Mittelstand”, a fabric of SMEs which are most often family and strongly exporting underlines Jan-Philipp Gillmann, head of the business bank for Europe at Deutsche Bank. Moreover, These companies “are partly protected” because “they are often the only ones to produce a given component,” american customs duties: highly specialized new he notes. Also, the additional cost of customs duties “is generally passed on to the end consumer”.

European exports to american customs duties: highly specialized the United States will be subject from Thursday to. a general customs right of 15%. higher than the usual levels but below the 30% initially envisaged by Donald Trump. But the compromise found represents a reduction only for 5% of German companies. indicates a survey carried out by the German Chamber of Commerce. the Pays Industry (DIHK) just after the conclusion of the Trade Agreement.

Among the 3,500 companies questioned, 58% expect negative repercussions or even 74% for companies doing business directly in the United States. What to convince these to reduce their activities there? This represents one in two cases, according to the Dihk.

One in five companies involved in the United States also declares that american customs duties: highly specialized new they have no choice but. to pass on surcharge on their own prices. If the German giants. Volkswagen quarrel the impact in billions of euros. many american customs duties: highly specialized more modest companies still hope to go between the drops.

American customs duties: highly specialized new

“Real niche”

“You can’t just copy the ‘made in Germany’ “. says Brian Fürderer. founder of Microqore Medical, an SME of 32 employees in medical technology, a field where” little compete with Germany “.” But when we occupy a real niche. the (American) demand follows “. adds the entrepreneur, who does not see her to be flexed as long as the customs duties do not reach” 30 or even 40%”.

The optimism of the actors of the Mittelstand contrasts with the repeated statements of Donald Trump. according to which it is foreign companies – and no american customs duties: highly specialized new American consumers – who will have to take taxes.

The first pricing warnings in recent months. prolonged uncertainty have nevertheless marked Germany, of which the United States is the first trading partner.

american customs duties: highly specialized “When customs duties have fallen. I did not make any sale in the United States for three months,” said Thorsten Bauer. “When the future is uncertain, customers delay their orders,” he adds.

Washington’s erratic trade policy invites caution. as is crawling with customs: an American customer remains awaiting a reimbursement after having been wrongly applied a 50% right to imported aluminum. testifies Thorsten Bauer. His conclusion: “There is no legal security”.

The entrepreneur seeks to “stimulate sales in Europe with discounts”, to “reduce dependence on international markets”.

“Regulated to death” in Europe

A headache for Xiton Photonics. which achieves american customs duties: highly specialized new about a quarter of its turnover in the United States. Customers are “rather in Japan, in China or America than in Europe” Souligne Thorsten Bauer.

The persistence of geopolitical tensions also make any strategy uncertain. “It can american customs duties: highly specialized obviously also happen that China decides, overnight, not to import since the EU. In this case, we are only a girouette according to the wind, forced to be carried,” he fears.

Producing directly in the United States would be an option. given the price of energy. European administrative heaviness, explains Brian Fürderer, whose company makes 50% of its sales across the Atlantic. “In Europe. we are regulated to death”. “People are afraid of investing or innovating” he complains, while Washington grants many tax aid and subsidies.