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President Donald Trump announced plans to introduce new tariffs on automobiles, expanding a series of import levies aimed at reshaping global trade and encouraging companies to shift production to the U.S., Automotive News said.

“We are going to do that on around April,” Trump told reporters on Feb 14. 

Trump is following through on his campaign promises by expanding tariffs on both U.S. allies and rivals, escalating an already growing trade war. 

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Just a day earlier, he took his most aggressive step yet, directing his administration to create plans for new tariffs on multiple trading partners, arguing that the current system unfairly disadvantages the U.S., Automotive News said.

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Reciprocal levies on counties with import taxes on U.S. goods could start in April, separate from sector-specific that were proposed on autos, energy, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals by Trump, according to Automotive News. 

The recent tariff threats target major automobile brands from Germany, Japan, and South Korea. In 2024, imports made up approximately 60% of the U.S. auto market, according to Forbes.

Largest U.S. auto importers as compiled by Bloomberg. (BLOOMBERG)

On Friday, Trump did not specify the details or rate of the potential auto tariffs. It remains uncertain how these tariffs would affect vehicles produced under the U.S.-Canada-Mexico free trade agreement, which Trump reworked during his first term, CBS News said.

“Industry trade groups have warned of price hikes and supply-chain damage from tariffs, but signaled they would wait and see what specific levies the Trump administration has planned,” Automotive News said.

Trump has used tariffs as a way to push other nations into making policy changes on issues like immigration and the flow of illegal drugs. He has also emphasized tariffs as a strategy to encourage companies to relocate production to the U.S., according to The White House. 

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