German Logistics Giant With 100 Workers in Northport & Vance Criticizes Trump Tariffs

A German logistics giant that employs 100 people in Tuscaloosa County said there will be no winners after President Donald Trump announced a new 25 percent tariff on all car imports. 

BLG Logistics USA is the North American subsidiary of the German BLG Logistics Group, which has existed since 1877. They have warehouses of more than 200,000 square feet in both Vance and Northport and employ 100 people between them - a fraction of their parent company's 16,000 employees worldwide.

They procure, repackage, kit and sequence parts for automotive manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz U.S. International.

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On Thursday, in response to the tariffs, BLG's Global CEO Matthias Magnor issued a statement that said these tariffs "are not the answer."

"The EU must respond to the 25% tariffs announced by US President Trump with a clear and decisive response and the immediate start of negotiations. Such a high tariff burden would have a significant economic impact on the automotive industry. As Germany's leading automotive logistics provider, we will also feel the effects - even though our AutoTerminal in Bremerhaven, as a global transshipment center, is only partially dependent on the European-American trade route.

The US market accounts for around 30 percent of the vehicles we import and export. We are currently calculating various scenarios for a possible decline of up to 15 percent. The reactions of our customers - the car manufacturers - the German government, the European Union and consumers will be crucial. Protectionist trade barriers such as punitive tariffs or non-tariff barriers have a direct impact on demand and therefore on exports, imports and ultimately the prosperity of both economies."

Magnor said BLG stands for free trade and is against the disruption these tariffs will cause on automotive manufacturers and logistics operators working with them.

"As an international logistics provider and seaport operator with Hanseatic roots, we stand for free and fair global trade. Trade barriers impede economic exchange and jeopardize growth and prosperity in the long term," he wrote. "BLG was founded in 1877 and in almost 150 years has experienced numerous economic upheavals and trade conflicts - not only with the USA. As a service provider with many years of experience, it is our job to adapt flexibly to new market conditions. But protectionism and nationalist isolation are not the answer. Free trade remains indispensable, especially for Germany as an export nation.”

The press release ended with a pledge to work in both Germany and the US to mitigate the impact of these tariffs and maintain the strength of their supply chain.