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Trump announces new 25% tariff on all cars made outside the US
President Trump announces tariffs on auto imports in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Wednesday.
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Mandel Ngan
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing 25% tariffs on imported cars Wednesday.
"I think our automobile business will flourish like it's never flourished before," Trump said in remarks from the Oval Office.
The latest policy is yet another example of the president's tariff-centric second-term economic agenda. Thus far, Trump has imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, steel and aluminum , and on some goods from Canada and Mexico. Trump also plans a wave of what he calls "reciprocal tariffs" to start April 2, which he has called "Liberation Day." The taxes on imports have caused plummeting stock markets and consumer confidence, and have left businesses and consumers uncertain about what they want to invest in.
The Trump administration has given multiple rationales for these tariffs, but they have emphasized boosting manufacturing as the chief goal.
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Inflation — despite Trump's pronouncements that it has vanished since he took office in January — also remains elevated, further increasing pressure on U.S. consumers.
U.S. tariffs are paid to the government by businesses in the U.S. that are importing goods. Studies of tariffs imposed in Trump's first term have shown they were overwhelmingly paid by U.S. businesses and consumers. White House officials have said that foreign companies will lower their prices to compensate for tariffs, essentially eating the cost. However, when asked by NPR, the officials provided no data to support this.
Trump's tariff policy has been chaotic throughout this presidency. In addition to the tariffs already imposed, he has threatened still more tariffs on a range of goods from around the world, at times announcing a tariff only to then delay or retract it.
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The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. -
The overhaul shifts funds to transitional housing requiring work and addiction treatment. The administration says it promotes "self-sufficiency," but critics warn many will risk losing housing again. -
Americans are feeling the strain of high prices, even as President Trump tries to tout "record highs" in the stock market.
Earlier this week, Trump floated what he called a "secondary tariff" of 25% on goods from any country buying oil or gas from Venezuela.
The president has said he will also impose "reciprocal tariffs," which he has described as being equal to tariffs other countries impose on U.S. goods. However, the White House has given few specific details on what those reciprocal tariffs will look like. The latest automobile tariffs go into effect April 3 according to Trump.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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