Trump Tariff Turmoil: Thai Car Market Skids to a Halt

[Rickman66]

1 hour ago, mfd101 said:

Why would anyone bother? I rode in a Cadillac in Canada a few years ago. Absolute pile of s...t!

I think your missing the point piondexter!

[sstuff3]

Trump 25% tariffs = "Harsh"

Thailand tariffs 100% - 300% = "Silence"

😂

Oh the irony and hypocrisy!

Trade should be reciprocal, America is finally taking steps in that direction. 

[cynic1]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand has been facing issues for a very long time and after 10 years of army rule the Prayuth Decimation still affects Thailand to this day, and will for quite some time to come. The current administration is no better, as they have very few smart appointees and virtually nobody is there based on merit nor vision. 

 

Trump is escalating his trade war and it's going to severely damage the US economy in the process, and the damage is going to be long-term. This man is an uninformed nitwit who knows nothing about globalization nor the ecosystems involved in manufacturing. He is diminishing US influence by the day and that is going to be long-term, as nations around the world are not going to forget this and will be boycotting American products for decades to come. America deserves that treatment, as they voted Trump in after all. 

Spidermike 007. I have always read your comments over the years. They are factual, unbiased and mirror my thoughts. I salute you. 5 stars. Keep it up please.

[Keep Right]

A very smart move by President Trump to impose a 25% tariff on vehicles manufactured in Thailand. Most vehicles manufactured in Thailand are Japanese. All the major Japanese Auto companies have manufacturing plants in the U.S. There really is no reason to have Japanese autos made in Thailand shipped to the U.S. other than to save the Japanese companies money. The Japanese companies will now shift their production to the U.S. where manufacturing will benefit the American workers. If the production in the U.S. cost more to the Japanese they will have to compete with other U.S. manufacturers and not be able to raise prices. This is a huge win for the U.S. and President Trump and a huge loss for protectionist Thailand.

[SunnyinBangrak]

Ah so satisfying. So I cant import my car from the USA without endless red tape and a 300% tariff. Trump starts levelling the playing field and what happens? Yep, toys out pram.

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

I don't think Trump really wants any import taxes but he's doing this in retaliation in order to put pressure on them to drop theirs. Ideally all this tariff nonsense can be dropped and we can go back to free(er) trade. At the end of the day this about forcing reciprocity on Thailand. Maybe it's the wrong way about it but that's the general idea and it's totally justified.

I know that's the general concept and I know that's what most Trump supporters believe to be the case, but I question if it is the reality, and I seriously question if Trump and his absolute bottom of the barrel pics have enough skill to pull this off.

 

I don't think so. I think they're just going to end up greatly diminishing American influence, increasing the hatred for America around the world, dramatically reducing tourism to America, and destroying the American economy in the process. And taking with it perhaps millions upon millions of jobs that were previously occupied by people who voted for Trump.

 

Once they lose their jobs, once they see inflation spike, once they see that the tariffs aren't working, and once they see that Trump is an absolute fool, I think they're going to change their tune. The reckoning is coming. 

[Presnock]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The creep seems hellbent on destroying what is left of America, and diminishing it's remaining stature around the world. I wonder if his supporters saw this destruction coming? 

 

Didn't he say something about actually improving the nation? That seems like an eternity ago. I knew he was senile but talk about forgetting all your promises. Yikes. 

yessir, Trump the world's greatest negotiator as he claims - but he always gives away more than we the people benefit - just like NAFTA - he touted that as the greatest achievement for the US when they signed that agreement, then he decides to change it and says who was the idiot that negotiated this treaty until someone said "YOU did".  selling the citizens down the tubes with tariffs.

[Presnock]

3 hours ago, jas007 said:

I thought they just applied to join BRICS?  

 

Anyone know what kind of cars they make in Thailand and ship into the USA?  I can't imagine, off the top of my head. 

https://thailand.prd.go.th Russia invited them to join in Dec and they officially joined as of 01 January 2025

[jvs]

44 minutes ago, Keep Right said:

A very smart move by President Trump to impose a 25% tariff on vehicles manufactured in Thailand. Most vehicles manufactured in Thailand are Japanese. All the major Japanese Auto companies have manufacturing plants in the U.S. There really is no reason to have Japanese autos made in Thailand shipped to the U.S. other than to save the Japanese companies money. The Japanese companies will now shift their production to the U.S. where manufacturing will benefit the American workers. If the production in the U.S. cost more to the Japanese they will have to compete with other U.S. manufacturers and not be able to raise prices. This is a huge win for the U.S. and President Trump and a huge loss for protectionist Thailand.

The things is(and you missed that)the manufacturing prices of all cars will go up in the US because of tariffs on steel and aluminum.

So the US consumer will end up paying more for any new vehicle.

If they have to buy a new car they will buy smaller Japanese cars first.

So much winning !

 

[Presnock]

2 hours ago, sstuff3 said:

Trump 25% tariffs = "Harsh"

Thailand tariffs 100% - 300% = "Silence"

😂

Oh the irony and hypocrisy!

Trade should be reciprocal, America is finally taking steps in that direction. 

Wait a sec here, you obviously are a Trumper, he negotiated the NAFTA during his first presidency and proclaimed that it was the greatest treaty ever for the US and of course now he is speaking from the other side of his mouth even wondering WHO was the idiot that negotiated this treaty which screwed the US?  Just what would it take for the Trumpers to wake up to that idiot?IMHO

[jas007]

22 minutes ago, Presnock said:

https://thailand.prd.go.th Russia invited them to join in Dec and they officially joined as of 01 January 2025

I'm not so sure they're full members, yet.  As far as I know, they're just a so-called "Partner Country" of BRICS, which is a step towards full membership.  

[sambum]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand has been facing issues for a very long time and after 10 years of army rule the Prayuth Decimation still affects Thailand to this day, and will for quite some time to come. The current administration is no better, as they have very few smart appointees and virtually nobody is there based on merit nor vision. 

 

Trump is escalating his trade war and it's going to severely damage the US economy in the process, and the damage is going to be long-term. This man is an uninformed nitwit who knows nothing about globalization nor the ecosystems involved in manufacturing. He is diminishing US influence by the day and that is going to be long-term, as nations around the world are not going to forget this and will be boycotting American products for decades to come. America deserves that treatment, as they voted Trump in after all. 

 

"Som nam na" springs to mind - remember you saw it here first!

[sambum]

3 hours ago, Bohemianfish said:

Americans are getting screwed. Especially, the everyday people, farmers, who voted for him. There's no good news in America these days. The cuts and tariffs are absolutely damaging to our food programs, farmers, to consumers who will pay higher and higher prices. 

 

"Som nam na!"

[sambum]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The creep seems hellbent on destroying what is left of America, and diminishing it's remaining stature around the world. I wonder if his supporters saw this destruction coming? 

 

Didn't he say something about actually improving the nation? That seems like an eternity ago. I knew he was senile but talk about forgetting all your promises. Yikes. 

 

Not wanting to sound off topic, but broken promises also apply to his counterpart in the UK - Starmer :- "Every pensioner - EVERY pensioner will be better off under Labour" Bullpoo!

[Presnock]

1 hour ago, jas007 said:

I'm not so sure they're full members, yet.  As far as I know, they're just a so-called "Partner Country" of BRICS, which is a step towards full membership.  

correct!

[Presnock]

31 minutes ago, sambum said:

 

"Som nam na!"

I kinda like the one that explains just how bad ELON and his team have screwed folks - an 84 (I think that is the right age) didn't get a check for so he called (when hey still could and asked and told them that he wasn't dead yet so was entitled to more checks.  Then they told him well to confirm that you are alive you have to come in person to the nearest office.  He made his way there and the line waiting to talk to one of two SS people there was over 50 people long.  After waiting for 4 hours and not getting very far, he saw a gap and jumped the line screaming hey take me I am still alive!

Not sure how long the regular citizen, who paid into SS his whole career and then can't get his check because he doesn't have a computer or know how to use one anyway, can no longer call the SS office and now the only one is hours away and he has to arrange transportation and then wait in a line to find  out why they aren't sending him his check he has been getting for 17 years straight with no problems!  ELON couldn't care less, he doesn't get SS and is worth too  much anyway to so why would he care.

[Zack61]

On 3/26/2025 at 7:22 PM, BritScot said:

About time. I hope Trump hits thais rights to buy houses/own land in the USA and copies thai 51% rule for business owner as well. And I'm not an American!!! Thailand has got away with this abuse for far to long. 

I, personally, agree with the Thai real estate policy. If they opened up for foreigners to buy into their real estate market prices would soar and almost every Thai person would be locked out of the market unable to compete with foreign investors. It would be an absolute sh!t show and they would be slaves within their own country. 

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Presnock said:

yessir, Trump the world's greatest negotiator as he claims - but he always gives away more than we the people benefit - just like NAFTA - he touted that as the greatest achievement for the US when they signed that agreement, then he decides to change it and says who was the idiot that negotiated this treaty until someone said "YOU did".  selling the citizens down the tubes with tariffs.

 

This is a man who feels tremendous anxiety, very low self-esteem, and is very insecure. He feels the constant need to build himself up, to build up the crowd size, to build up the size of everything surrounding him, to make himself look like a bigger. Most psychologist would agree that this comes from very deep-seated inadequacies. Sizeness, hugeness, everything in his life has always been exaggerated. Frankly I think people are just getting tired of it, his schtick is getting very old. So is he. 

 

[Elkski]

1 hour ago, Zack61 said:

I, personally, agree with the Thai real estate policy. If they opened up for foreigners to buy into their real estate market prices would soar and almost every Thai person would be locked out of the market unable to compete with foreign investors. It would be an absolute sh!t show and they would be slaves within their own country. 

This is exactly what is happening in the US.  So many Chinese buying up rental property because they are smart and some have so much money and I think easily get family and investor money.  I know several.   Trump is a jerk and he bankrupts everything he touches.   I think he has had many business leaders complain about tariffs other countries out on US goods.   Yes he is losing us allies.  It will be painfull for the lower economic people but in a few years maybe there will be a few more things manufactured here.   Look at how already the NATO members are starting to pay and exceed there contractual 2% of GDP.      The issue I see is I don't think there are many quality food workers that will be willing to staff these manufacturing plants.  I guess we will see.  

[jas007]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

 

This is a man who feels tremendous anxiety, very low self-esteem, and is very insecure. He feels the constant need to build himself up, to build up the crowd size, to build up the size of everything surrounding him, to make himself look like a bigger. Most psychologist would agree that this comes from very deep-seated inadequacies. Sizeness, hugeness, everything in his life has always been exaggerated. Frankly I think people are just getting tired of it, his schtick is getting very old. So is he. 

 

He did win the election and he is now President.  And I think most people would agree, even any this point, that the alternative, Harris, would have been a disaster for the country.  So, perhaps people should get over it and try to have a positive attitude.  

[Elkski]

19 minutes ago, jas007 said:

He did win the election and he is now President.  And I think most people would agree, even any this point, that the alternative, Harris, would have been a disaster for the country.  So, perhaps people should get over it and try to have a positive attitude.  

Oh I'm positive.   Positive that in 2 and more so in 4 years even most MAGA's will be educated in economics and realize their votes for  trump and all these spinless Republicans was a disaster.  

[NoDisplayName]

7 hours ago, jas007 said:

I thought they just applied to join BRICS?  

 

Anyone know what kind of cars they make in Thailand and ship into the USA?  I can't imagine, off the top of my head. 

 

Does Thailand actually build Thai cars?

 

Or is it all foreign manufacturers using Thailand as a base for cheap labor or to circumvent tariffs against their home country?

[NoDisplayName]

On 3/26/2025 at 9:34 AM, webfact said:

The proposed 25% levy

 

I can understand reciprocal tariffs, such as 125% for India and 80% for Thailand.

 

But not all nations impose tariffs on vehicles, although the international average is 22%.

 

Japan does not impose a tariff, their consumers just don't want 'merkan cars that don't suit the market.

 

Shirley, they won't mind, and they'll keep buying those US treasuries to add to the $1.2 Trillion they already hold, right?

[vinny41]

For years, Thailand has imposed high tariffs on imported cars to protect its local car industry. These import taxes can be as high as 80%, which adds a huge amount to the price of foreign vehicles.

For example, a car priced at 720,000 baht ($20,000) in another country can balloon to 1.3 million baht or more due to these tariffs.

On top of that, excise taxes based on engine size and emissions are applied, along with a 7% VAT (Value Added Tax) on the car’s total cost, including import duties and excise taxes. Additional charges like registration fees, road tax, and customs processing fees further inflate the final price.

High car prices in Thailand are primarily due to import taxes and local taxes. Import duties can range from 187% to 328% depending on engine size, significantly inflating the cost of foreign vehicles.

https://thethaiger.com/guides/automotive/why-are-cars-so-expensive-in-thailand

Import tariffs are only the starting point when you add all the other taxes the final total is much higher

 

Türkiye has increased additional tariffs on gasoline and hybrid cars imported from China from %40 to %50, effective January 1, 2025.

https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/turkiye-raises-tariffs-on-chinese-cars-to-50-100107/#:~:text=Türkiye

[OldBird]

11 hours ago, cynic1 said:

Spidermike 007. I have always read your comments over the years. They are factual, unbiased and mirror my thoughts. I salute you. 5 stars. Keep it up please.

About as factual as a unicorn crapping skittles while leprechauns pass out pots of gold.

[OldBird]

6 hours ago, Elkski said:

Oh I'm positive.   Positive that in 2 and more so in 4 years even most MAGA's will be educated in economics and realize their votes for  trump and all these spinless Republicans was a disaster.  

Keep the fantasy alive. Going to suck so badly for you and the rest of the leftwits when the sky does not fall, America becomes more of a economic powerhouse and the mid terms toss all the rest of the commie leftwits out of American polotic.

[OldBird]

10 hours ago, jas007 said:

I'm not so sure they're full members, yet.  As far as I know, they're just a so-called "Partner Country" of BRICS, which is a step towards full membership.  

Is this any surprise really?  This was inevitable regardless of anything America does or does not do. Big brother China is a key member of BRICs, so of course Thailand will join. 

[jts-khorat]

8 hours ago, Elkski said:

Yes he is losing us allies.  It will be painfull for the lower economic people but in a few years maybe there will be a few more things manufactured here.   Look at how already the NATO members are starting to pay and exceed there contractual 2% of GDP.

 

Maybe look a bit deeper.

 

Over the last 80 years, the allies (foremost what is now the EU) have bought American weapons to a large percentage.

 

Now they want to spend more, but only with local arms manufacturers, cutting out the Americans whereever possible (and no military kit besides maybe fighter jets of the Americans is that superior, that it is not immediately replaceable with an European alternative).

 

Just by not buying more F-35, the US is loosing tens of billions in one go. At the same time, Trump wants to start wars in Gaza, Iran and Yemen (and Panama, Greenland and Canada) and is in a depening conflict with China.

 

Where is this improving anything for Americans, I wonder?

[Bohemianfish]

17 hours ago, Bohemianfish said:

Americans are getting screwed. Especially, the everyday people, farmers, who voted for him. There's no good news in America these days. The cuts and tariffs are absolutely damaging to our food programs, farmers, to consumers who will pay higher and higher prices. 

Anyone who thinks this is funny, the farmers are getting screwed, everyone. Costs of seed has doubled in a year. It's all evident and we'll see things go to pot fast.

[bamnutsak]

I thought the next round of tariffs would be announced on April 2, but the need to deflect from the Signal-gate fiasco led to tariffs being announced today.

 

I've honestly lost track of the "Tariffs on, Tariffs off" status.

 

Tariffs on Chinese EVs may be as high as ~ 170%, which would benefit musk/tesla I would think.

 

 

 

 Trump places 25% tariff on imported autos. Carmakers could face higher costs and lower sales

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he was placing 25% tariffs on auto imports, a move the White House claims would foster domestic manufacturing but could also put a financial squeeze on automakers that depend on global supply chains.

 

“This will continue to spur growth,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “We’ll effectively be charging a 25% tariff.”

 

To underscore his seriousness about the tariffs directive he signed, Trump said, “This is permanent.”

 

https://apnews.com/article/autos-tariffs-trump-tax-imports-ford-gm-e53823ef7bbb7b3c46d11eca90aaa638