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US carmakers accuse EU of blocking big pick-ups

Source: ft.com

TL;DR

US carmakers claim EU safety rule changes block large pick-up trucks like Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and Ram 1500 from European roads.
Brussels proposes tightening rules on specialist imports to close a loophole for small-volume approvals.
US ambassador warns changes breach spirit of recent trade deal that cut tariffs on car imports.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-carmakers-accuse-eu-blocking-supersized-pick-up-trucks-roads-ft-reports-2026-04-08)

The story at a glance

US carmakers have accused Brussels of using proposed safety regulations to keep their biggest pick-up trucks off European roads. The trucks named are Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and Ram 1500. This comes after a trade deal last August cut EU tariffs on US vehicles from 10 per cent to zero, while the US will charge 15 per cent on EU cars.[[2]](https://www.ft.com/content/3eb796fd-bcdb-4a9f-89b7-f7d5e692a3cd?syn-25a6b1a6=1)[[3]](https://www.ft.com/content/3eb796fd-bcdb-4a9f-89b7-f7d5e692a3cd) The FT reports it now because the EU is advancing plans to tighten rules on a small number of specialist imports.[[3]](https://www.ft.com/content/3eb796fd-bcdb-4a9f-89b7-f7d5e692a3cd)

Key points

Targets Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and Ram 1500, US carmakers' largest models sold in small numbers in Europe via individual vehicle approvals.
EU plans tighten safety standards for these "specialist imports" to align with broader type-approval rules, closing an existing loophole.
Recent US-EU trade deal in August 2025 eliminated EU's 10 per cent car tariff; US retains 2.5 per cent on passenger cars but 25 per cent on pick-ups from most countries (exempting some via USMCA).[[2]](https://www.ft.com/content/3eb796fd-bcdb-4a9f-89b7-f7d5e692a3cd?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
Andrew Puzder, US ambassador to the EU, told FT the changes could breach the deal's spirit by limiting American vehicle sales.
Reuters reports the accusations but could not independently verify details.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-carmakers-accuse-eu-blocking-supersized-pick-up-trucks-roads-ft-reports-2026-04-08)

Details and context

These large pick-ups enter Europe now through individual vehicle approval (IVA), meant for custom or low-volume cars but used for mass-market US models in limited quantities. Safety groups have long criticised this loophole, noting pick-ups raise pedestrian death risk by nearly 200 per cent compared to standard cars.[[4]](https://etsc.eu/top-european-safety-groups-warn-against-lowering-standards-with-u-s-vehicle-imports)

The EU Commission proposed closing it last year, planning to phase in stricter emissions, pollution and safety rules over the late 2020s. US carmakers lobbied against similar efforts earlier this year, arguing it violates trade pacts.[[5]](https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026/02/automakers-press-trump-administration-to-block-eu-proposal-to-restrict-imports-00781428)

Trade deal context: Deal followed tariff threats, with mutual recognition of standards promised but not yet fully implemented; EU insists safety remains paramount.

Key quotes

"EU plans to change safety rules that could breach the spirit of the trade deal if they prevented some American vehicles from being sold in Europe."

— Andrew Puzder, US ambassador to the EU, in FT interview.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-carmakers-accuse-eu-blocking-supersized-pick-up-trucks-roads-ft-reports-2026-04-08)

Why it matters

Tensions highlight clashes between US export goals for profitable pick-ups and EU priorities on road safety and emissions in dense urban areas. US firms could face blocked sales in a niche but growing market; Europeans might see fewer imports but ongoing trade friction. Watch EU's final proposal timeline and any US response, though details remain unverified beyond FT reporting.