Not every European is on board with US cars
In a recently published letter addressed to European Union officials, dated October 20, public officials from prominent European cities such as Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, as well as more than 75 civil society organizations in the region, have warned that the EU must revisit what it calls a “hastily agreed trade deal” between it and the United States, in which the region is intent on accepting lower US vehicle standards in regards to imported vehicles.
Per the letter dated October 20, the signees warn that aligning European standards for automobiles with the laxer rules in the US would undermine the EU’s progress in increasing road safety, regulating the impact of air pollution on public health and the climate, and maintaining the EU’s industrial competitiveness.
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Accepting American cars will make European roads less safe, the letter claims
The letter mainly revolves around the EU–US Joint Statement on trade, signed on August 21, 2025, in which it stated that “with respect to automobiles, the United States and the European Union intend to accept and provide mutual recognition to each other’s standards.”
This has the signees worried, as they point to June 2021 data that shows that European vehicle safety regulations helped reduce European road deaths by 36% since 2010. In the same period, data from the USDOT shows that fatalities on US roads increased by 30%, with pedestrian deaths up by 80% and cyclist deaths up by 50%. Europe credits its advancements to mandatory advanced technologies, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist systems, as well as required safety measures, including pedestrian protection features like front deformation zones and regulations against sharp edges like those found on the Tesla Cybertruck.
“Europe built its reputation on pioneering robust vehicle standards. To accept lower US standards would undo decades of EU progress,” the signatories wrote in their letter. “The consequences of such a move for European road safety would be profound.”
In addition, they worry that by accepting the lower vehicle standards of their American counterparts, there would likely be a wave of what they say are “oversized, US pick-ups and SUVs” onto European roads. The signatories feel they are unfit for European roads, as they find them significantly heavier and more aggressive in collisions, and a higher risk not just to pedestrians and cyclists but also to drivers of EU-market cars.
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Accepting American cars will make European air dirtier
In addition to the laxer safety regulations on American vehicles compared to those sold in the EU, the letter’s signatories state that while the EU is moving to set limits on the contribution of brake and tire wear to air pollution by 2026, the US is in the process of weakening vehicle air pollution rules. By adopting these regulations, the signatories warn that new imports could “increase European exposure to pollutants linked to asthma, cancer and numerous cardiovascular and neurological conditions.”
The letter chiefly pointed to the EPA’s July 29 announcement that it was rescinding the landmark 2009 endangerment finding, a decision that set the course for regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, such as those from cars and power plants. At the time, it noted that if its proposal is finalized, greenhouse gas emissions regulations for motor vehicles and engines would be repealed, which it claims would restore consumer choice and allow Americans to purchase a safe and affordable car for their families.
“With this proposal, the Trump EPA is proposing to end sixteen years of uncertainty for automakers and American consumers,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said at the time. “[…] If finalized, rescinding the Endangerment Finding and resulting regulations would end $1 trillion or more in hidden taxes on American businesses and families.”
Final thoughts
The signatories also warn that adopting these standards for vehicles imported from the US could have drastic effects on jobs in the region. They noted that although brands like BMW, Mercedes, and Stellantis already build a lot of vehicles in the US, “accepting lower US vehicle standards would accelerate this trend, as companies shift production to avoid EU rules and re-import vehicles under weaker US standards.” Such a trend could bring “large-scale job losses not only among carmakers but across Europe’s supply chain.”
While the argument for a unified set of standards and regulations, including crash safety and emissions standards, seems like a good idea at first, it’s essential to recognize the differences between American and European roads from an infrastructure standpoint, while also accounting for our driving habits. Whether or not this letter does anything to alter the EU’s decisions remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: increasing US imports in the US is not as straightforward as it might have seemed.
