US Reciprocal Tariffs and the Erosion of Global Trade Rules: Implications for Germany

Lisandra Flach and Lisa Scheckenhofer

No 71, EconPol Policy Brief from ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich

Abstract: Key MessagesThe average tariff gap for traded products between the US and the EU is around 0.5 percentage points, which is relatively low compared to other US trade partners.US tariff changes aimed at closing the tariff gap between the US and the EU could affect 53% of German exports to the US and 6% of German global exports. While a wide range of products would be affected, the tariff increase would remain relatively small for three quarters of traded products, as their tariff gaps are below 2.3%.Our simulations show that higher US “reciprocal” tariffs reduce German exports to the US between 2.4% and 3.0% and decrease value added by 0.02%. These small effects for Germany, compared to scenarios with a flat 20% increase in US tariffs, are mostly due to the relatively low tariff gap between the US and the EU.However, the opposite scenario arises if the EU negotiates “full reciprocal tariffs” with the US – implying that the US also lowers tariffs when its own are higher. In this case, German value added and welfare increase.

Date: 2025
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