EU must not follow Japan’s position on vehicle safety in trade talks with US
Following a deal with the US, Japan will allow the import of American-made cars without the safety standards and testing it usually requires. This represents a dangerous precedent that could undermine vehicle safety in countries that have led the world in automotive safety regulation, such as the EU.
On 23 July, US President Donald Trump announced a new trade agreement with Japan that reduced tariffs on car imports. Of particular concern is a provision allowing American-made vehicles to enter the Japanese market without being subject to Japan’s national crash testing or safety compliance requirements.
Permitting vehicles to bypass domestic safety standards undermines decades of progress in reducing road fatalities and serious injuries, exposing vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, to heightened risk. More broadly, this is a worrying setback, that could be replicated in other countries.
For these reasons, POLIS, along with European Transport Safety Council, Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, Region I, ANEC — The European Consumer Voice in Standardisation, Transport & Environment, Euro NCAP — The European New Car Assessment Programme, International Federation of Pedestrians, European Cyclists’ Federation, and Global NCAP, have issues a joint statement urging the EU to not follow suit.
Safety standards are not up for negotiation
The EU currently boasts some of the world’s most advanced vehicle safety measures, such as mandatory automated emergency braking, intelligent speed assistance, and pedestrian protection requirements—all of which are not required under US law.
With the EU also engaged in trade negotiations with the US regarding car imports, the coalition of European transport organisations is urging EU leaders to uphold existing safety standards. Lowering the bar would compromise public safety. Vehicle safety standards are not trade barriers; they are essential public protections grounded in scientific and real-world evidence. Watering down or bypassing them would inflict real and measurable harm to European road users, particularly those most at risk.
POLIS, ETSC, and the other organisations welcome previous assurances from the European Commission that EU safety standards will not be compromised in the ongoing trade talks. However, the coalition once again warns about the risks of mutual recognition of US vehicles and now calls on EU leaders not to back down from this position, making it clear that no agreement on vehicle imports will be accepted unless all products fully comply with current European safety regulations.
Read the full joint statement.
