FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Trump Tariffs Are ‘Big News’ for Auto Dealers

President Trump’s tweet promising ‘big news’ for the automotive industry was quickly followed by an investigation that could lead to inflated costs for imported vehicles and parts.

by Paul Clinton
May 29, 2018
Trump Tariffs Are ‘Big News’ for Auto Dealers

 

1 min to read


President Donald Trump is considering imposing tariffs on imported light-duty vehicles and parts.Photo by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation to determine whether to impose new tariffs on imported light-duty vehicles and parts following a tweet promising “big news” for the auto industry.

The order came after a meeting between Trump and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on May 23 in which the two discussed “the current state of our automobile industry,” according to a White House statement. Ross initiated the investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 into imports of vehicles, including light trucks, SUVs, vans, and auto parts to determine their impact on national security.

Ad Loading...

“Core industries such as automobiles and automotive parts are critical to our strength as a nation,” the statement read, in part.

In the past 20 years, imports of passenger vehicles have grown to 48% from 32% of the cars sold in the U.S. Tariffs would likely have an immediate impact on retailers representing non-Detroit automakers that don’t operate a U.S. assembly plant.

“There is evidence suggesting that, for decades, imports from abroad have eroded our domestic auto industry,” Ross said in a statement. “The Department of Commerce will conduct a thorough, fair, and transparent investigation into whether such imports are weakening our internal economy and may impair the national security.”

Topics:Showroom

More Showroom

Cars on road in European city
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 30, 2026

Electrifieds Lead EU New-Vehicle Sales

Hybrids in particular lead not only EV market share but all power trains on the continent so far this year as gas and diesel continue their decline.

Read More →
Hyundai steering wheel, black leather
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMarch 30, 2026

Hyundai Expands North American Footprint

Building on a previously announced $26 billion U.S. investment, Hyundai said it will grow its North American lineup and U.S.-based production and parts sourcing.

Read More →
Image of Honda 'H' emblem
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 25, 2026

Afeela EV Brand Fails to Leave the Factory

Sony-Honda venture cancels two planned models, the first of which had been pegged for a mid-2026 California delivery debut. The brand’s direct sales had been challenged by the state’s auto dealers, but the venture cites Honda’s EV retreat.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
row of SUVS in background with red and white text saying inventory with a down arrow and sales pace with an up arrow
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMarch 23, 2026

Used-Vehicle Sales Jump in February

Softening prices, rising credit availability and higher tax refunds could be behind February’s sales pace rise and accompanying dip in inventory, according to Cox Automotive.

Read More →
Graphic showing the wholesale weekly price index for 2- to 6-year-old vehicles
ShowroomMarch 17, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

The wholesale automotive market fared remarkably well given the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, Black Book analysts reported.

Read More →
Photo of line of new cars on a lot
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 16, 2026

FTC Targets Auto Dealers Over ‘Deceptive Pricing’

The agency sent warning letters to dozens of auto groups about what it described as illegal practices and urged them to ensure their pricing policies enable transparency with consumers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
row of cars, used vehicle demand spikes, chart showing data spike, F&I and Showroom logo
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceMarch 11, 2026

Used Market Gains Speed

New-vehicle sales fell year-over-year for the fifth month in a row in February, making retail deliveries the slowest they’ve been since 2023, according to a CarGurus report.

Read More →
Ford pickup truck grill with company insignia
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 10, 2026

Ford Engineers Tinker With EV Cost, Range

The automaker says its California skunk works is already finding efficiencies to lighten traditionally heavy electric vehicles for lower cost, plus extended range.

Read More →
Graphic showing used-vehicle days to turn rate
Showroomby StaffMarch 10, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Both vehicle values and conversion rates sped up last week as two segments outperformed in the pre-spring burst of buying.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of Chevrolet Bolt on a beach
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 9, 2026

Economical Electric

GM says it sells the cheapest electric vehicle in the U.S. market. It explains how it made improvements to the entry-level EV while keeping its price down.

Read More →