US President Donald Trump said he plans to impose tariffs on foreign cars starting April 2, without specifying how much the tariffs would be or which nations could be targeted. The move comes as part of his ongoing trade efforts, including a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports that began in March. Trump has also proposed tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports and already imposed an additional 10% tariff on China.
The planned tariffs are seen as a response to European Union tariffs on American cars, which charge a 10% tariff on imported vehicles. The US charges a lower 2.5% tariff on European cars, but aims to level the playing field. Auto manufacturers have been bracing for the impact of tariffs, with many forecasting significant job losses.
The auto industry relies heavily on global supply chains, with billions of dollars’ worth of components and finished automobiles imported each week. Trump’s plan could have far-reaching consequences for the industry, which has already seen a rise in tensions between the US and its major trading partners.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/us/politics/trump-auto-tariffs.html