The article discusses the impact of the US's new 25% tariffs on car imports, which have heightened concerns among workers in Volkswagen's Wolfsburg factory. Workers express fears about the future of the German car industry, referencing past issues like the diesel emissions scandal and current management's plans to cut jobs and close factories. Despite the negative outlook, some workers believe this situation may prompt the industry to become more independent from the US in the long run. The atmosphere at the factory reflects anxiety and uncertainty as workers grapple with their future prospects amid these changes.
Emerging into the springtime sun from gate 17 at Volkswagen's main factory in Wolfsburg at the end of his shift on Thursday afternoon, Carsten, 63, pulled heavily on a cigarette and shook his head when asked about Donald Trump's US tariff policies. It's just another nail in the coffin for the German car industry, the assembly line worker said.
The mood inside is not good, he said. We already felt bamboozled by our bosses after all the mistakes they've made. Now even bigger arseholes are deciding our future.
Stephan, towards the end of his first week working in electrical infrastructure at the plant, said he was sure that initially this is going to be very bad for the German car industry, and for Germany in general, but long term it might serve us well, to learn to be more independent from the US.
You have to laugh or you'd not survive, he added. He declined to give his full name, but said he had been at the company for more than 15 years, and added he was glad to be going into retirement in two years' time so I don't have to watch the carnage from the factory floor.
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