American tariffs on imported cars enter into force as the markets extend through Trump’s commercial escalation
The steep tariffs of 25% in the vehicles imported to the United States entered into force on Thursday, since international leaders reacted and the markets recovered from the announcement of President Donald Trump hours before even more broader tariffs that will begin at the end of this week and next week.
Automatic tariffs, which apply to imported cars, SUV, minivans, load vans and light trucks, could increase car prices in thousands of dollars, according to experts.
Used Mercedes-Benz vehicles are available for sale at a Mercedes-Benz car dealership on April 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The German luxury car manufacturer, which has 11,000 US workers and brings together its SUVs in Alabama, was still beaten by the new imported cars rates of 25 percent of President Trump.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
In general, half of the approximately 16 million vehicles bought in the US. Uu. Last year they were imported, according to the White House.
The White House promoted tariffs as a means to safeguard the national security and economic strength of the United States, saying that the United States automotive industry had been undermined by excessive imports.
Experts say that American buyers will surely see higher prices for foreign cars, since increased tariffs are transmitted to consumers. That label shock could also send higher prices for used vehicles.
25% tariffs on imported key automatic parts, including engines and electrical components, entered into force later.
The automatic tariffs entered into force only a few hours after Trump announced a plan of high scope promised that included a basal tax on imports of all commercial partners, as well as the most pronounced in countries that impose taxes on US assets.
President Donald Trump makes an executive order signed after delivering comments on reciprocal tariffs during an event in the Rosas Garden in the White House, in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP through Getty Images
“My fellow citizens, this is the day of liberation,” Trump said from the Rosas de la Casa Blanca Garden, claiming that his last action would free the United States from the dependence of foreign goods.
According to the plan, the imported goods of China will be affected by what Trump called “friendly reciprocal” tariffs of 34%; The imported goods of the European Union will be affected with 20% of tariffs.
In general, the tariffs announced by Trump “focus levels not seen from the” 1930 Smoot-Hawley tariffs law “,” two experts at the Cato Institute, a group of libertarian experts, in a statement, referring to the measure signed by President Herbert Hoover, who say that historians exacted the economic recession of the nation during the great strength.
Last month, Trump also slapped a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, as well as certain assets of China, Canada and Mexico.
Trump made his announcement on Wednesday after the stock market has been closed for the day, but the futures of shares sank into the news. The industrial average Dow Jones fell into 1,100 points or 2.7%. S& P 500 Futures lost 3.9% and future Nasdaq-100 fell 4.7%.
The retired motorist Brian Pannebecker speaks while President Donald Trump listens during an event to announce new rates in the Rosas Garden in the White House, on April 2, 2025, in Washington, DC
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
International leaders denounced Trump’s announcement.
“China urges the United States to immediately cancel its unilateral tariff measures and properly resolve differences with its commercial partners through the same dialogue,” said a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce in a statement, arguing that tariffs “will endanger the global economic development and stability of the supply chain.”
Trump’s announcement on Wednesday slapped 34% of rates in China reaches 20% rates announced above, which carries the total tax collected against one of the largest commercial partners in the United States to 54%.
The European Union said it has a “strong plan to retaliate”, that the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will deliver on Thursday.
Facebook publicationItalian prime minister Giorgia Meloni called the tariffs aimed at the “incorrect” European Union.
She added: “We will do everything possible to work for an agreement with the United States, with the aim of avoiding a commercial war that would inevitably weaken the West in favor of other world players.”
Commercial maneuvers have tensioned relations with Canada and Mexico, two key allies and neighbors. None of the countries is included in the list of countries that will be affected with reciprocal tariffs.
Mexico said it will give your answer at the end of this week.
Alexandra Hutzler, Leah Sarnoff and Max Zahn of ABC News contributed to this report
