Trump Unveils 25% Auto Tariffs, Escalating Global Trade Tensions

[Social Media]

 

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a new plan to impose 25% tariffs on all imported cars, intensifying an ongoing global trade war just weeks after previous tariffs caused market turmoil and raised concerns about a possible recession. "I think our automobile industry will flourish like it hasn't before," Trump said.

BREAKING: Trump has just hiked tariffs on cars built outside the U.S. to 25%.
Experts warn this could raise the average price of a new car by $3,500 to $12,000.

So next time you complain about inflation, make sure you’re blaming the right guy. pic.twitter.com/3nDG8FwvfS

— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) March 26, 2025

 

The newly announced tariffs will impact an industry that employs over a million workers in the United States and depends on a supply chain deeply connected to Mexico and Canada. Experts have previously warned that these tariffs could drive up car prices for American consumers. Earlier this month, Trump had already imposed 25% duties on a significant portion of U.S. auto imports from Mexico and Canada, though he later delayed some of those auto-related tariffs. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previewed the latest round of tariffs on Wednesday, leading to an immediate dip in U.S. stock markets.

 

 

Following the announcement, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 130 points, or 0.3%, while the S&P 500 declined 1.1%. The Nasdaq, which is heavily weighted toward technology stocks, dropped by 2%. The auto industry took a hit as well, with shares of Tesla, led by Trump advisor Elon Musk, closing down 5.5%, while General Motors saw a 3% decline.

 

According to a Cato Institute analysis of data from the U.S. International Trade Commission, Canada and Mexico are the two largest suppliers of finished motor vehicles and car parts to the United States. In 2023, these two countries accounted for nearly $120 billion worth of U.S. motor vehicle imports, representing approximately 47% of all such imports for the year. A similar share of auto parts imports also came from Canada and Mexico, the analysis found.

 

Trump’s latest tariffs come just days before he is expected to introduce a new wave of duties on April 2, a date he has referred to as "liberation day," signaling a major shift in U.S. trade policy. He has repeatedly stated that the new tariffs aim to establish reciprocal trade relationships. However, speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump suggested that the final rates might be adjusted based on the tariffs imposed on U.S. goods by other countries. "I may give a lot of countries breaks," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "I'm embarrassed to charge them what they've charged us."

 

This latest move follows a series of tariffs Trump imposed earlier in March, including increased duties on Chinese imports, raising tariffs on goods from the country to 20%. Days later, he implemented sweeping tariffs on all aluminum and steel imports. These actions triggered retaliatory tariffs from China, the European Union, and Canada, fueling a trade war that has rattled financial markets and sparked fears of an economic downturn.

 

Economists largely predict that tariffs will lead to higher prices for consumers, as importers typically transfer part of the tax burden to buyers. At a press conference in Washington, D.C., last Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell attributed a "good part" of recent inflation to the effects of tariffs.

 

Based on a report by BBC  2025-03-27

 

 

[blaze master]

Trump.

[Tug]

The drama queen needs drama to distract from his clowns screwing up the chat / security issue 

[Digitalbanana]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Following the announcement, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 130 points, or 0.3%, while the S&P 500 declined 1.1%. The Nasdaq, which is heavily weighted toward technology stocks, dropped by 2%.

Watch the plummet. Protectionist policies, such as tariffs and trade barriers, can lead to higher prices for American consumers, reduced competition, and decreased economic efficiency. Basic economics a school kid knows these days.

[Purdey]

I agree with Trump. Destroy the American automobile industry before rather than later. Don't want Republicans denying their role when the administration changes.

[Thaindrew]

"This latest move follows a series of tariffs Trump imposed earlier in March, including increased duties on Chinese imports, raising tariffs on goods from the country to 20%"

 

this is actually false, the tariffs were not increased to 20%, they were increased by 20%, for many products the total tariff from China to USA is now 45% - and despite Trump's claims of China is paying for that its of course paid by US importers and will in a large part be passed on to consumers.  

[JonnyF]

Great news. More wins like this to come.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgkmvdz144vo

 

 

Zee Germunz won't be best pleased. 😄

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a new plan to impose 25% tariffs on all imported cars, intensifying an ongoing global trade war just weeks after previous tariffs caused market turmoil and raised concerns about a possible recession.

He should make Thailand a special case... 300% sounds good.

[RayC]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Great news. More wins like this to come.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgkmvdz144vo

 

 

Zee Germunz won't be best pleased. 😄

 

I seem to recall someone saying that they weren't anti-European🤔

 

Not exactly great news for what's left of the UK car industry either but, no doubt, you'll blame Labour when output declines.

[candide]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Great news. More wins like this to come.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgkmvdz144vo

 

 

Zee Germunz won't be best pleased. 😄

Are you really rejoicing about tariffs which will affect your own country?

 

(And additionally will affect the economy of your country's largest export market).

 

You can't stop winning, can you? 

 

For the UK, the US is the second largest car export market after the EU, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly341xr45vo

 

[digger70]

Trump Unveils 25% Auto Tariffs, Escalating Global Trade Tensions, 

 Trump suggested that the final rates might be adjusted based on the tariffs imposed on U.S. goods by other countries. "I may give a lot of countries breaks," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "I'm embarrassed to charge them what they've charged us."

 

He's only trying to do what other countries already have been doing for years and years.

[JonnyF]

13 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

I seem to recall someone saying that they weren't anti-European🤔

 

I love Europe. Great place. It's the EU I dislike. Always been clear on that.

 

13 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

Not exactly great news for what's left of the UK car industry either but, no doubt, you'll blame Labour when output declines.

 

If the UK can't do a deal with Trump in the current climate, then yes I will blame Labour for calling him a Nazi, KKK sympathizer etc.

 

What an idiot your boy Lammy is.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

4 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

I love Europe. Great place. It's the EU I dislike. Always been clear on that.

 

 

If the UK can't do a deal with Trump in the current climate, then yes I will blame Labour for calling him a Nazi, KKK sympathizer etc.

 

What an idiot your boy Lammy is.

 

A problem with hearing the truth?

[JonnyF]

4 minutes ago, candide said:

Are you really rejoicing about tariffs which will affect your own country?

 

(And additionally will affect the economy of your country's largest export market).

 

You can't stop winning, can you? 

 

For the UK, the US is the second largest car export market after the EU, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly341xr45vo

 

 

It's up to the UK to do a deal isn't it. Let's see what Starmer's got. Should be a lot easier now we are out of the protectionist racket that is the EU. 

 

Trump is reasonable. He just wants fair terms. If Lammy and Starmer can stop calling him a fascist Nazi KKK sympathizer for a few hours I'm sure they can work something out. If Labour keep sucking up to the EU and ignoring Trump they deserve everything they get. As do those who voted Labour.

 

Ultimately, whatever this costs the UK economy Starmer can easily recoup it by reducing foreign aid and illegal immigration anyway. Up to him. Let's see what he does for the people of Britain. It's a good test and one that is easily passed. So Starmer will probably fail. 

 

So yes, I am glad to see Trump stick it to the UK government and the EU. They deserve it. And to be frank, why should I care about a country that now officially discriminates against me in a 2 tier justice system. F em.  

[JonnyF]

10 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

A problem with hearing the truth?

 

You wouldn't know the truth if it smacked you in the chops. Even if you did, you'd pretend to believe something else. 

 

So if you have any evidence of Trump being a racist KKK and Nazi sympathizer, let's see it. 

[Chomper Higgot]

6 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

You wouldn't know the truth if it smacked you in the chops. Even if you did, you'd pretend to believe something else. 

 

So if you have any evidence of Trump being a racist KKK and Nazi sympathizer, let's see it. 

Good people on both sides would be a good place to start.

[sharot724]

Stocks fall on Trump's auto tariffs, China bucks the trend

 

https://www.reuters.com/markets/global-markets-wrapup-1-2025-03-27/

[sharot724]

Not worried here at all here in Thailand

 

 

[KireB]

The US prints dollars whenever it has a deficit, and expects the rest of world to pick up the tap. The dollar should implode due to increase in supply, not artificially pumped up because of its petro status. 

[sharot724]

Are airline prices rt to US dropping LOL

ya bet cha

[KhunLA]

OMT ... gettin' it done

 

Rock On ... about time, more tariffs the better.

[RayC]

44 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

I love Europe. Great place. It's the EU I dislike. Always been clear on that.

 

Funny way of expressing your love. Your previous post appeared to be taking delight in the negative effects of these US tariffs on the German economy.

 

44 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

If the UK can't do a deal with Trump in the current climate, then yes I will blame Labour for calling him a Nazi, KKK sympathizer etc.

 

In the words of Mr. McEnroe: "You cannot be serious!?".

 

The current climate where Trump is throwing tariffs around like confetti at a wedding, where the US is apparently becoming more protectionist by the day, and where they have seemingly lost interest in Europe as a whole (including the UK): And you consider the climate is ripe for a UK-US trade deal to be struck?

 

Your mob, including the American-born Johnson, had the best part of 8 years to sort out a deal with the US and came up with Sweet Fanny Adams.*

 

In the unlikely event that this Labour government do manage to strike a deal with the US, it will be a real feather in their cap.

 

* Yes, I know that a trade deal with the US couldn't be signed until we officially left the EU, but behind-the-scenes negotiations could have taken place ... or maybe not, given that successive Tory administrations were too busy messing up the negotiations with the EU.

 

44 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

What an idiot your boy Lammy is.

 

 

Not my boy and a stupid statement for a politician to have made public. However, where's the evidence that it has done any specific damage?

[cjinchiangrai]

10 hours ago, Tug said:

The drama queen needs drama to distract from his clowns screwing up the chat / security issue 

Nailed it! The tariffs will be smoke next week.

[mrfill]

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Great news. More wins like this to come.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgkmvdz144vo

 

 

Zee Germunz won't be best pleased. 😄

They beat them to it.

 

Mercedes-Benz manufactures several models in the United States, specifically at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, including the GLE, GLS, GLE Coupe, and Mercedes-Maybach GLS, as well as the all-electric EQE SUV, EQS SUV and Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV. 

 

BMW assembles its X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM vehicles at its Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina, which is the BMW Group's global center of competence for BMW X models. 

 

Volkswagen builds several models in the U.S., including the Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, ID.4, and Passat, at their Chattanooga Assembly Plant in Tennessee. 

[Tug]

Every time I go to buy something now I allways ask what’s the trump tax this week?personally I think the dems would be well served to call inflation the trump tax ….why not? It would certainly get the old orange lumpy duck clown going lol 😂 it’s about time they troll him!on a serious note this will obviously hurt the Thai auto industry as well.trump is one toxic dude no doubt about it.

[LosLobo]

                   HOW TARIFFS WORK 

[MalcolmB]

6 hours ago, candide said:

Are you really rejoicing about tariffs which will affect your own country?

Trumpers are not the brightest. 
Some of them will probably figure it out eventually.

[candide]

7 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Trumpers are not the brightest. 
Some of them will probably figure it out eventually.

Some are cumulating by being both a Brexiteer and a Trumper...

[MalcolmB]

15 minutes ago, candide said:

Some are cumulating by being both a Brexiteer and a Trumper...

Same, same. But different country

[thaibeachlovers]

Good news for the planet. Make new cars too expensive for consumers to buy= less rusting wrecks polluting the environment.

Cars are probably the worst things for pollution, given the amount of raw material needed to make them.

If cars have to be used for longer and less new ones, a good thing indeed. All green supporting people should be cheering a reduction in new cars.