Donald Trump announced plans to impose sweeping 25% tariffs on cars from overseas on Wednesday, days before the US president is expected to announce wide-ranging levies on other goods from around the world.
“What we’re going to be doing is a 25% tariff for all cars that are not made in the United States,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “We start off with a 2.5% base, which is what we’re at, and go to 25%.”
The announcement drew swift condemnation from the European Union and from the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, who called it a “direct attack” on Canadian workers. “We will defend our workers, we will defend our companies, we will defend our country, and we will defend it together,” Carney said.
Another 25% tax on Americans who purchase foreign-made cars. Glad I don’t need a new car now, since I would not buy any shitty Ford / Chevy / GM vehicle made in the USA. My German car is still running great after 10 years of use, has never needed any engine or transmission repair.
Look at the fine print. The US car companies might be the worst hit since the tariffs also apply on various sub-assemblies that mean an additive tariff of 50-100+ on them.
Fuck yeah. Ban cars! Great move for humanity and the planet.
I’m all for buying locally made products, but making those products better is the way to get people to buy them.
Trump doesn’t actually care about the economy, he cares about people doing what he says and now he’s got his sights on the rest of the world.
Fun fact, most of the cars made in the US are from foreign manufacturers.
Domestic manufacturers produce their cars in Mexico and Canada.
I’m going to laugh when F150s and shit skyrocket in price while Ridgelines and Tacomas drop.
You mean like they already did?
I’m not sure what the fuck they’ve been thinking but all three domestic automakers priced their trucks so high they couldn’t get them off the lot.
Yeah, I have noticed that the Honda and Toyota dealers near me are usually pretty empty, while the domestic brands are pretty full.
Looks like I won’t have a problem finding a quality car then
Do you know why things are made in China? Because safety is expensive. Labor rights are expensive. Environmental protection is expensive. Basic human rights are expensive.
As much “America bad” you have in your head, America still has all those things, and things made in America are expensive.
What sells more, a cheap shirt from Walmart or one from a boutique?
The one from a boutique is probably made in china. The issue is all the manufacturers decided that they could profit more by leaving. You say “labor right are expensive” you mean a fair wage? I mean, it’s not actually that expensive when a company is pulling in billions in profit. If you didn’t know what a corporate shill was, you do now.
I think we’re agreeing?
Fair wages, not stealing wages, breaks, all that is extremely expensive compared to not.
Expensive means less profits.
Right. Which is fine. Less is actually fine.
I hate cars and anything that makes them more expensive and less desirable is a win as far as I’m concerned. Japan probably won’t be happy about this though. Cars are a major export for Japan and the USA is a major buyer of Japanese cars. Trump just keeps fucking America’s allies and trade partners.
A lot of Japanese cars are made in the US. Ironically, most American cars are made in Canada and Mexico.
A point I saw in another thread is sticking with me: Insurance rates for foreign car owners will go up too because replacement parts are going to get more expensive.
Lol not just foreign cars. Domestic cars have a lot of parts manufactured in Mexico and Canada. Prices are going up for just about everyone.
This isn’t even a Trump thing, I’ll take the bus or buy a foreign made junker before I’d waste my money on an American car. They’re crap.
The only thing we export of any quality are the means of mass murder, and that’s something to be ashamed of.
Lmao. I knew the cars I have now would last the rest of my life.
Good. Bring the factories here.
Wouldn’t even be in theis mess if Congress would do their job
Stick with this one you coward. This is his only policy I approve of so far.
Because you’re anti car? Or what’s the resson this one makes sense compared to all the others?
Yes, cars undeniably make the world a much worse place and I am in favor of sin taxes. It’s also a fairly easy tariff to avoid by keeping or repairing an older vehicle—or even better, don’t drive one at all for those who can avoid it.
Car culture does suck and ideally we could move towards urban areas being much less car dependent. I think we agree there.
Increasing the cost of new vehicles, which are already too high is only going to incentive keeping cars that produce comparatively more emissions on the road. We should be incentizing replacing old gas cars with newer electric vehicles while also working on public transportation and walkable areas where possible.
I just don’t think electric vehicles do enough given the scale of the crisis we’re experiencing, and I think placing economic pressure in car drivers is bound to reduce driving somewhat. Since this is one of or perhaps even the most damaging behavior in American society right now, that can only be a good thing. It will also increase demand for car alternatives which are desperately needed.
Is it the perfect policy or the one I would have pushed for? No, and it’s bound to be economically destructive as well, but it’s still pushing things in the right direction overall.
I get it. I would still rather it just apply to gas guzzlers. Let electrics get a foot hold. To get vehicles off the road let’s embrace work from home policies again, instead of forcing everyone to commute in traffic.
