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US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he plans to move forward with tariffs on foreign cars, with a target date of April 2.
However, he did not specify the exact amount of the tariffs or which countries might be affected.
During a discussion in the Oval Office, Trump was asked about the timing of the tariffs and stated, “maybe around April 2.”
He had initially intended to announce the tariffs on April 1, but he joked that he was “a little superstitious” and opted to push the announcement to the following day, the New York Times reported.
Trump's administration has already proposed several trade measures with significant implications for the auto industry. The president recently unveiled plans to impose a 25 per cent tariff on foreign steel and aluminum, which are essential components for car production.
Additionally, Trump suggested a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico—countries that supply raw materials and parts, and are home to production sites for major automakers.
These tariffs have been delayed until March 4 as Trump negotiates concessions with the two countries on issues like drugs and migration.
Earlier this month, he imposed a 10 per cent tariff on imports from China, a major supplier of auto parts.
On Thursday, Trump also introduced a “reciprocal tariff” plan, which calls for new tariffs on countries based on their own trade practices and tariffs, particularly those deemed “unfair.”
He highlighted European Union tariffs on American-made cars, which are set at 10 percent, compared to the U.S. tariff of only 2.5 percent on European cars.
However, the U.S. imposes a 25 percent tariff on light pickup trucks from Europe.
The auto industry, which relies on complex, global supply chains, has been bracing for the potential impact of these tariffs.
The movement of tens of billions of dollars' worth of cars, engines, transmissions, and parts takes place every week across U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico, while billions more are imported from China.
Automakers have expressed concern over the tariffs, with Ford CEO Jim Farley warning earlier this week that a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican products could cause severe damage to the U.S. auto industry, leading to unprecedented job losses. – February 15, 2025
