Trump might temporarily exempt auto industry from tariffs imposed to give automakers time to adjust

United States president Donald Trump has said he might temporarily exempt the auto industry from tariffs he previously imposed on the sector to provide automakers time to adjust their supply chains, reports Associated Press. “I’m […] The post Trump might temporarily exempt auto industry from tariffs imposed to give automakers time to adjust appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Apr 16, 2025 - 06:27
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Trump might temporarily exempt auto industry from tariffs imposed to give automakers time to adjust

Trump might temporarily exempt auto industry from tariffs imposed to give automakers time to adjust

United States president Donald Trump has said he might temporarily exempt the auto industry from tariffs he previously imposed on the sector to provide automakers time to adjust their supply chains, reports Associated Press.

“I’m looking at something to help some of the car companies with it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday (April 14, 2025). “And they need a little bit of time because they’re going to make them here, but they need a little bit of time. So, I’m talking about things like that,” he added.

The 25% tariff on cars imported into the US has been in effect since April 3, while a separate 25% levy on car parts will be activated on May 3. Several automakers have either temporarily paused car shipments or halted production as they try to come to grips with how to deal with these tariffs.

Should Trump decide to grant an exemption, it will be yet another round of reversal on tariffs. Last week, the US president announced that dozens of countries faced with individualised tariffs (up to 50%) would instead face a baseline 10% for 90 days to give time for negotiations.

China was excluded from this and instead got a tariff hike to 145%. However, smartphones, laptops and a host of other tech components made in China were spared from the high reciprocal tariffs and were instead charged at a lower 20% rate.

The post Trump might temporarily exempt auto industry from tariffs imposed to give automakers time to adjust appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.