Oakland County
Trump sets 25% tariffs on medium, heavy-duty trucks; Ford cheers move
By Grant Schwab, Medianews Group
The USA will elevate 25% charges on the import of medium and heavy vans from 1 November, President Donald Trump introduced in a social media submit on Monday.
The charges observe a examine that began by the US commerce division in April on the nationwide safety results of the import of vans. The taxes can be separate from the import load on gentle vans, which have been current for many years.
The White Home didn’t instantly present particulars about whether or not there can be exemptions for Mexico and Canada, the place American automobile producers have a substantial manufacturing footprint, or for nations comparable to South Korea and Japan who’ve lately reached commerce agreements with america.
If there are not any chopping for Mexico and Canada, Common Motors Co. and Stellantis NV obtain appreciable tariff prices. Each automobile producers carry out the final assembly for slightly below half of their American vans in Mexico and Canada, in line with knowledge from S&P World.
Ford Motor Co. It famous that it assembles 100% of his heavy vans in its Kentucky Truck Plant and Ohio Meeting Plant and inspired the Trump administration for the brand new charges.
“Ford welcomes the motion of the Trump administration on medium and heavy vans, which helps our shared purpose to develop the American automobile trade and American manufacturing. American automobile -drivers deserve a stage taking part in area,” mentioned Robyn Jackson, spokesperson in a press release.
GM and Toyota Motor Corp. each refused to present a remark, identical to the perfect lobbying group within the trade, the alliance for automobile innovation. Stellantis additionally refused to remark, though the corporate was beforehand in opposition to new taxes.
“Stellantis will not be of the opinion that particular further measures on truck or truck elements are wanted to guard nationwide safety as a result of massive current US manufacturing capability and the small share within the American medium and heavy truck gross sales which are crammed by imported merchandise,” the corporate wrote in a public remark to the Commerce division in Could.
The American marketplace for gentle automobiles and vans is way bigger than the marketplace for heavier autos, however these fashions nonetheless play a big enterprise position for the three automobile producers of Detroit.
In response to the federal knowledge, america imported round $ 20.8 billion in medium and heavy vans in 2024, or round 246,000 completed autos, in 2024. Virtually $ 20 billion got here from Mexico and Canada.
The brand new price announcement comes days after a report that means that Trump was about to supply a light-weight price lighting for American automobile producers, though the White Home has not shared further particulars about these plans.
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