Despite the decision, Trump continued his attacks on EU trade policy. - 'Competition must be improved' -In his proclamation, Trump described the US auto sector as facing decline due to unfair foreign competition. Reacting to the announcement, Dieter Kempf, head of the German industrial federation, said "cars do not threaten the national security of the United States." Japanese automaker Toyota, which has factories and research centers in the United States also strongly rejected the notion. But, while foreign-branded cars are popular in the United States, many automakers have championed their US-based manufacturing operations in places like Alabama, Kentucky and South Carolina.

Source: The Nation Bangkok May 18, 2019 04:30 UTC