This can’t keep going on and President Trump is planning to fix it.
Why American Cars Struggle to Compete Overseas — And Why It Should Matter to Every Patriot
Buying a car is one of the biggest financial decisions people make — and while American vehicles are known for strength and durability, global buyers often pass them over. Here’s why that’s hurting our economy and what can be done about it.
🚗 U.S. Car Makers Get Left Behind in Global Auto Sales
In 2024, the United States imported over 757,000 new vehicles from the European Union. Meanwhile, Europe bought just 169,000 U.S.-made vehicles in return. That’s a $43.9 billion trade imbalance in Europe’s favor — compared to only $8.9 billion in U.S. vehicle exports.
This huge gap in automotive trade isn’t just a fluke. It’s a pattern — and it’s costing American workers and manufacturers dearly.
💸 Why Are American Cars More Expensive Overseas?
One big reason? Tariffs and taxes.
- Europe charges a 10% import tariff on all American-made cars and light trucks.
- Until recently, the U.S. only charged 2.5% on European vehicles — a policy that President Trump sought to correct through tougher trade negotiations.
But it doesn’t stop there. European countries tack on vehicle taxes, emissions fees, and registration costs that can double or triple the price of a U.S. car overseas.
🚙 Price Comparison: What U.S. Cars Really Cost Around the World
Here’s how much more American vehicles cost outside the United States:
- Chevy Tahoe
🇺🇸 U.S.: $59,000
🇳🇴 Norway: $100,000+
🇫🇷 France: $60,490 - Dodge Ram 2021 (Used)
🇳🇴 Norway: $235,000 - Ford Ranger
🇺🇸 U.S.: $33,808
🇫🇷/🇩🇪 France/Germany: $40,000 - Jeep Grand Cherokee
🇺🇸 U.S.: $38,490
🇫🇷 France: $64,830
🇩🇪 Germany: $61,990 - Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray
🇺🇸 U.S.: $68,300
🌍 Europe/Asia: $69,990–$76,990 - Tesla Model Y
🇺🇸 U.S.: $50,630
🇫🇷 France: $51,289
🇨🇳 China: $36,430
🇯🇵 Japan: $61,600
Fun Fact: The Tesla Model Y was the only American vehicle to be the top-seller in any EU country in 2024 — in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
🛢️ Fuel Prices & Car Size: Why That Matters Overseas
American cars tend to be larger — and that makes a difference in places where fuel prices are sky-high:
- Average European gas price: $7.19–$7.57/gallon
- Recent U.S. average: $3.22/gallon
Larger engines = higher fuel consumption = less interest from foreign buyers.
According to economist Robert Wright, there’s a psychological hurdle too:
“People hesitate to fill a big gas tank when prices are that high.”
🛑 Cultural Bias Against American Cars
There’s also a long-standing snobbery in Europe against buying American-made vehicles.
Reasons include:
- Perceived lack of reliability vs. German/Japanese brands
- Preference for compact designs
- American cars seen as “oversized” for European roads and parking spots
- Tighter safety regulations in the EU that complicate vehicle approvals
Art Hogan, a top market strategist, put it plainly:
“I haven’t seen a single American SUV that could comfortably fit on a European road.”
🚧 Safety Standards: A Hidden Barrier to U.S. Car Exports
European Union safety laws are much stricter. In fact:
- Road deaths in Europe dropped 16% since 2013.
- U.S. road fatalities rose 25% during the same period.
Groups like POLIS say American pickup trucks pose higher risks to pedestrians and cyclists — another argument used against importing them.
🌐 Sales Remain Low in China, Japan, and Other Markets
In 2023, global sales of American-made cars remained weak:
- China: 33,417 units
- Japan: 28,369 units
- Most other countries: Even fewer
Despite the strength of American manufacturing, U.S. automakers are being boxed out of critical global markets.
🇺🇸 The America First Takeaway
This trade imbalance is about more than cars — it’s about economic sovereignty. For decades, our competitors have used tariffs, regulations, and bias to sideline American-made vehicles, even while we welcomed theirs with open arms.
President Trump’s tough stance on auto tariffs and fair trade was a step in the right direction.
If we’re serious about rebuilding American manufacturing and protecting U.S. jobs, we need to:
- Demand fair trade deals
- Support American auto brands
- Push back against global double standards