The Port of Antwerp-Bruges operates as a massive parking facility because thousands of vehicles including cars trucks vans and tractors remain stationary while awaiting shipment to the United States. The data indicates that US-bound passenger car and van exports decreased by 15.9% throughout the first half of 2025 with May showing the most significant decline following Trump’s announcement of his “liberation day” tariffs. The manufacturing sector experienced a 31.5% decline in truck and heavy equipment exports because companies rushed to prevent the 25% tariff on vehicles.
The European carmakers used to pay only 2.5% in tariffs before the sudden price increase which now adds tens of thousands of dollars to US vehicle prices thus reducing market demand. The port which processed 3 million vehicles in 2024 maintains an uncertain future because of the possibility of an EU-US trade agreement before August 1.
The port officials describe the tariff impact as more immediate than Brexit and the pandemic because there was no time to adjust. The port evidence indicates Chinese cars are accumulating at the facility because they were redirected from their intended US market.
The port faces a worsening crisis because ongoing trade tensions and Red Sea disruptions and container delays are affecting Europe’s busiest car hub.
