Japan to Negotiate Auto Tariff Cuts with Trump
Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya revealed that the Japanese government plans to engage in trade talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, focusing on eliminating tariffs on automobiles and auto parts. Iwaya stated, "In the appendix of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, the U.S. has listed automobiles and auto parts for future negotiations on tariff reductions. Discussions will proceed on the premise of tariff elimination."
Canada to Earn CAD 100 Million Annually from Chinese EV Tariffs
Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux reported that the country is expected to generate approximately CAD 100 million (USD 71.4 million) annually in federal revenue from new tariffs on Chinese steel, aluminum, and electric vehicles. Starting in October, Canada imposed a 100% import tariff on Chinese electric vehicles and a 25% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum.
Volkswagen Workers to Launch New Strikes Next Week
On December 5, Volkswagen's labor union announced that employees will stage a new round of strikes starting Monday, December 9, at nine different factories in Germany. These strikes will last twice as long as the first round, escalating tensions with Volkswagen management.
Volkswagen CFO: German Plants Need Higher Efficiency
Volkswagen Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz stated that the company must take "decisive action" at its German plants to fully utilize their capacity. "In a shrinking market, this will inevitably lead to the closure of some German factories," he warned.
Stellantis and Zeta Energy Collaborate on Lithium-Sulfur EV Batteries
On December 5, Stellantis and Zeta Energy announced a partnership to jointly develop affordable lithium-sulfur batteries for electric vehicles. The aim is to bring these batteries to market by 2030.
Honda Aims for Solid-State Batteries with 620-Mile Range
Honda is working to make its solid-state batteries 25% cheaper than current lithium-ion batteries while achieving a driving range of 620 miles (1,000 kilometers)-twice that of conventional liquid lithium-ion battery packs.
Honda to Recall Over 205,000 SUVs in the U.S. Due to Fuel Leaks
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration disclosed on December 5 that Honda will recall approximately 205,760 SUVs in the U.S., including 2023-2025 Passport and Pilot models. The agency noted that the affected vehicles may experience fuel leaks due to potential separation of the filler pipe and tube.
