BMW CEO Zipse optimistic on 'manageable' US car tariff agreement
Zipse's comments come as Europe awaits a letter from the US administration under Donald Trump that could outline the framework of a trade deal and clarify tariff levels on European automotive exports.
Trump said on Thursday the EU could receive a letter on tariff rates by Friday.
'I'm optimistic that there will be a manageable outcome but we have to wait for the result,' Zipse told journalists at a company event in Munich on Friday.
He said a possible 'netting mechanism' could be part of the deal, allowing exports from the US to offset imports. BMW stands to benefit from such an arrangement, as its largest production site is in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

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The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Russia suggests Trump is emboldening Ukraine, delaying peace
Donald Trump has vowed to arm Ukraine and punish Russia's allies if no peace deal is reached soon. The Kremlin warned Tuesday that US President Donald Trump's pledge of more weapons for Kyiv and threat of sanctions targeting Russian trading partners could embolden Ukraine and further delay already stalled peace efforts. Trump a day earlier gave Russia 50 days to strike a peace deal with Ukraine, voicing fresh frustration with Moscow as he laid out an arrangement with NATO to supply Kyiv with new military aid sponsored by the alliance's members. Kremlin calls Trump's threats a boost to continued war The Republican forced Moscow and Kyiv to open peace talks to end the conflict, now in its fourth year, but Russia has rejected calls for a ceasefire and launched a record number of drones and missiles at Ukraine in recent months. Moscow said it needed more time to respond fully to Trump's statement, but hinted it did not appear conducive to successful negotiations. 'It seems that such a decision made in Washington and in NATO countries and directly in Brussels will be perceived by Kyiv not as a signal for peace but for the continuation of the war,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. 'President Trump's statement is very serious. We certainly need time to analyse what was said in Washington,' he told reporters in Moscow's first reaction to the comments. Trump warned that if no deal was concluded, he would slap severe tariffs on Russia's remaining trade partners in a bid to impede Moscow's ability to finance its military offensive. Pumped up by huge state spending on soldiers and weapons, as well as by redirecting vital energy exports to the likes of China and India, Russia's economy has so far defied Western hopes sanctions would push it into a deep recession. Weapons deal Two rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine, held in Turkey in recent months, have made no progress towards ending the fighting and yielded only large-scale prisoner exchanges. Tens of thousands have been killed since Russia launched its offensive, with millions forced to flee their homes in eastern and southern Ukraine, which has been decimated by aerial attacks and ground assaults. Putin has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire and his negotiators have demanded Ukraine shun all Western military support, and pull out of four regions in its east and south that Moscow claims to have annexed. Kyiv and the West have rejected them as a call for Ukraine's de-facto capitulation. Peskov said Russia was open to another round of talks and was 'waiting for proposals from the Ukrainian side on the timing.' ALSO READ: Zelensky signs decree for Ukraine's withdrawal from anti-landmine treaty Kyiv has called it 'pointless' to hold further talks with the current Russian delegation. European nations weigh role in US-led weapons plan Denmark and the Netherlands on Tuesday said they were looking to participate in Trump's plan for Europe to buy American weapons for Ukraine. Under the scheme, some of NATO's European members would pay Washington for the weapons, including vital Patriot air defence systems, which would then be shipped to Ukraine. The United States has been Kyiv's most important military backer since Russia launched its offensive in 2022, but Trump's erratic policy on whether to support Ukraine and his attempts to engage Putin have spooked Europe and Kyiv. 'Game of chess' In Moscow, residents dismissed Trump's statement as little more than politics. 'It's a game of chess,' Svetlana, an aviation engineer said. 'There will still be negotiations… (Trump) gave 50 days, and then there will be more… We are waiting for the next move of our president,' the 47-year-old said. Russia has pummelled Ukrainian cities with regular aerial attacks in recent weeks as its troops advance slowly across the battlefield in the east and south. Ukrainian soldiers fighting in the east were hopeful but cautious following Trump's promise of air defences and weapons. 'I don't believe him. There have been too many promises that haven't been kept,' said one soldier with the call-sign 'Shah.' Others were worried it might be too little too late. 'Of course it's good, but at the same time, time has been lost. Those Patriots could have been sent sooner and could have helped a lot,' another fighter called 'Master' told AFP. 'If there is even the slightest chance to improve the situation for us and worsen it for them, then that's already positive,' Ruslan, a 29-year-old soldier, said. NOW READ: Anton Kobyakov: The quiet power behind Putin's Russia


The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
US tariff of 30% on SA exports: where to now?
Sky-high duties will hit dozens of US trading partners, as Trump pushes for more "reciprocal" or 'fair' trading terms. The new tariff of 30% president Donald Trump levied on South African exports to the US, as well as tariffs up to 50% on other countries, have reignited global tensions as the 90 day pause on the tariffs announced in April came to an end last week. Bianca Botes, director at Citadel Global, points out that it signals a sharp escalation in Trump's protectionist agenda. The latest round of tariffs include: Japan and South Korea: both were hit with 25% tariffs from 1 August. Trump cited trade imbalances and is pushing for local production in the US as the reason. Dozens are in the firing line, with over a dozen countries, including South Africa (30%), Bangladesh (35%), Brazil (50%) and Thailand (36%) facing increased tariffs. More are expected to follow, with an announcement of 30% tariffs for Mexico and the EU on the weekend. 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Trump's aggressive approach may disrupt global supply chains and relations with allies and emerging markets alike. All eyes are now on incoming data and how markets, governments and central banks respond to what could be an unpredictable end to the month.' ALSO READ: Trump's new 30% tariff less about trade and more about power No mention of 10% US tariff for Brics in South Africa's letter Lisette IJssel de Schepper, chief economist at the Bureau for Economic Research, says although Trump warned that any country adopting the anti-American policies of Brics would face an additional 10% tariff, there was no mention of this in the letter South Africa received. Fellow Brics member Brazil got slapped with a 50% tariff on Wednesday. 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Trump explained later in the week that the reciprocal tariffs are based on 'common sense, deficits, how we have been over the years and raw numbers'. She says arguing about the accuracy of data is therefore unlikely to sway his position. 'Hopefully, by highlighting what South Africa can offer the US and being pragmatic, there is some scope to wiggle down the tariff, as some other countries have successfully done. 'However, the 'worst case' of a 10% universal tariff that government hoped for now looks to be turning into a best case. However, a fair point made by the Financial Times is that there is unlikely to be a 'definitive policy' in a Trump world. While we expect the impact on the entire economy to be relatively small, some motor manufacturing and pockets of agricultural produce will be hit hard.' ALSO READ: Where Trump's tariffs will hurt most US 30% tariff on SA a seismic event, not a diplomatic spat Dr Ernst van Biljon, head lecturer and programme coordinator for M Com in supply chain management at the IMM Graduate School, says the sweeping 30% US tariff on 'any and all South African products,' is far more than a diplomatic spat. It is a seismic event poised to send ripple effects through global and South African supply chains, demanding an urgent re-evaluation of supply chain strategies. 'While global markets have always been dynamic, this escalation signals a deeper shift: the weaponisation of trade policy as a geopolitical tool.' He says from a global perspective, these tariffs immediately compel US-based importers and retailers to de-risk their supply chains. 'The 30% duty instantly inflates the cost of South African goods, making them less competitive on American shelves. This is not just about price but about the very viability of product lines. 'Supply chains in the US will face pressure to absorb costs, pass them to consumers, or seek alternative sourcing. This could accelerate trends towards 'friend-shoring' or 'near-shoring', where companies prioritise suppliers in politically aligned or geographically closer nations. 'The ability to guarantee consistent product availability and predictable pricing, even if it means re-evaluating long-standing supplier relationships, will become a key differentiator.' ALSO READ: Trump tariffs unsettle SA farmers as Africa eyes agricultural growth US tariffs could trigger global re-routing of goods Furthermore, he says, the tariffs could trigger a global re-routing of goods. 'South African products previously destined for the US might now seek new markets, potentially increasing supply in other regions and creating new competitive dynamics.' He warns that South African businesses cannot simply 'find new markets' or pivot messaging but must reimagine their entire value chain strategies. This means investing in regional value chain integration, leveraging SADC, Brics and AfCFTA frameworks and accelerating partial local beneficiation to improve resilience. For South Africa, the implications are immediate and profound, Van Bijon says. 'Businesses, particularly those in export-heavy sectors like agriculture, must urgently identify and cultivate new international markets beyond the US. 'This requires intensive market research and in the case of China, considerable persistence, to understand new consumer preferences and tailor product offerings and brand narratives for diverse audiences in Asia, the Gulf and within the African continent. 'Specific sectors such as citrus, wine, nuts and automotive components are directly in the crosshairs. Producers in these industries should consider building capacity for processing at source and establishing stronger ties with fast-growing Asian and Middle Eastern markets.' ALSO READ: Government must intervene with US tariffs, act stronger with police corruption Waiving US tariffs on goods made in the US? He says the US offer to waive tariffs if companies 'build or manufacture product within the United States' presents a stark choice. 'While some large corporations might consider this, it threatens to hollow out local manufacturing capabilities and job creation. 'From a domestic supply chain standpoint, this situation could galvanise 'Buy Local' campaigns, fostering national pride and consumer loyalty towards South African-made goods to bolster internal demand.' In addition, Van Biljon says, companies should assess opportunities to increase local supplier development and upstream integration to reduce reliance on single-market exports. 'Strengthening links with regional and Asian supply partners can enhance both resilience and cost competitiveness. 'The true opportunity is not in survival but in transformation — future-proofing South Africa's role in global supply chains through strategy, value creation and new market development.'

TimesLIVE
12 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Global EV sales jump 24% in June
Global sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles jumped 24% in June from a year ago as a switch to electric vehicles maintained momentum in China and Europe, market research firm Rho Motion said on Tuesday. However, EV sales in the US were down 1% in the month and will struggle to pick up this year after President Donald Trump's spending bill cut tax credits sooner than anticipated, Rho Motion's data manager Charles Lester said. North America, also weighed by slowing sales in Canada, lagged for the first time behind the "rest of the world" countries, which include emerging markets in Southeast Asia and South and Central America, Lester said. Global carmakers face a 25% import tariff in the US, the world's second-largest car market, causing many to withdraw their outlooks for 2025. In Europe incentives for retail and fleet buyers in key markets such as Germany and Spain, alongside a growing availability of cheap EVs, are expected to support electric car sales through the second half of the year. While some of the most successful EVs in the small vehicle segment are produced by European carmakers such as Volkswagen and Renault, those by Chinese brands including BYD are taking up market share in the continent and driving growth in emerging markets, Lester said. Global sales of battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids rose to 1.8-million units in June, Rho Motion data showed. Sales in China jumped 28% from the same month last year to 1.11-million vehicles. Europe posted a 23% increase to about 390,000 units, while North American sales fell 9% to more than 140,000. Sales in the rest of the world surged 43% to exceed 140,000 vehicles. "There's been reports over the past few months of a slowdown potentially in China" due to some cities running out of subsidies, Lester said. "However, overall we'd expect in (the second half) more subsidy amounts to be available", leading to a "big boost" in volumes towards the end of the year, he said.