U.S. Customs Clearance with BVE Initiated - No Cause for Despondency in Initial Stages
The Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Ernährungsindustrie (BVE) is ready to actively contribute to the implementation of the export strategy, as the EU and USA announce a deal to avert potential 30% US import tariffs on EU products and EU counter-tariffs. This agreement, announced in late July 2025, sets a 15% tariff on most European imports, a significant reduction from the threatened 30%.
However, explicit exemptions for agricultural goods or food and beverages have not been fully detailed or disclosed by the White House. While certain agricultural products will be exempt, such as critical minerals and aircraft parts, precise agricultural or food and beverages products specifically exempted remain unspecified and subject to future negotiation or announcements.
The Federal Association of the German Food Industry, led by Olivier Köhlsch, has expressed cautious optimism about the tariff agreement. Germany exports around 2.5 billion euros worth of food and beverages to the USA annually, making it one of the most important third-country markets. The German food industry generates an annual turnover of 232.6 billion euros, employing around 644,000 people.
The established partnerships, supply chains, and strong demand for German food in the USA are emphasized as difficult to replace by other markets. The EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has also emphasized that certain agricultural products will be exempt from these tariffs.
The newly agreed flat tariff rate of 15% will affect trade in German food and beverages. To strengthen the international competitiveness of the German food industry, political efforts are needed to address affordable energy, less bureaucracy, and reliable export promotion in German politics.
The German food industry is characterized by small and medium-sized enterprises, with 90% of companies belonging to the medium-sized sector. Olivier Köhlsch, Managing Director of the Federal Association of the German Food Industry, emphasizes the importance of the EU avoiding complacency and addressing these issues for global competitiveness.
The BVE will continue to advocate for as many food and beverages with export destination USA to be exempt from these tariffs. For press inquiries, contact Oliver Numrich, Head of Press and Public Relations at Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Ernährungsindustrie e.V., reachable at +49 30 200786-167 or [email protected].
The European internal market also needs consolidation, bureaucracy reduction, and production costs relief to support the German food industry's export strategy. The specific product list for a final assessment is yet to be made available. The announced export strategy of Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Alois Rainer is timely in these circumstances.
- Amid the announced tariff agreement and a flat rate of 15% on most European imports, including food and beverages, the cautious optimism of the German food industry, led by Olivier Köhlsch, is balanced with the need for political efforts to ensure affordable energy, less bureaucracy, and reliable export promotion in German politics.
- As the EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has emphasized certain agricultural products will be exempt from these tariffs, the Bundesvereinigkeit der Deutschen Ernährungsindustrie (BVE) continues to advocate for as many food and beverages with the export destination USA to be exempt from these tariffs, aiming to maintain the established partnerships, supply chains, and strong demand for German food in the USA.
