Trump Floats Tariffs on Imported Vehicles, Parts
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.

President Donald Trump is considering imposing tariffs on imported light-duty vehicles and parts.
Photo via Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia. Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)
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 automotive parts to determine their impact on national security.
"Core industries such as automobiles and automotive parts are critical to our strength as a nation," according to the statement.
The move would likely impact non-Detroit automakers who 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."
In the past 20 years, imports of passenger vehilces have grown to 48% from 32% of the cars sold in the U.S.
More Vehicle Research

Chevrolet Brings Duramax Diesel to Work Truck Trim in Next-Generation 2027 Silverado 1500
The 2027 Silverado 1500 adds Duramax diesel availability to the Work Truck trim, introduces two new V-8 engines, and standardizes a 16.3-inch center display across all trims. Pricing and specifications are pending.
Read More →
Why Fleet Management Looks Different in 2026 | AF News Recap
This week's fleet headlines highlight a mix of industry leadership and an important safety reminder for fleet professionals.
Read More →
Ram Previews ProMaster City, Updates Fleet Vehicle Lineup
The return of the small van headlined enhancements across the ProMaster, Chassis Cab, Heavy Duty, and Ram 1500 lineup, along with a preview of future Ram products.
Read More →
Wholesale Used Vehicle Market Sustains Moderate Rise In Values, Prices
Trends continue to normalize after a strong start to the year, as consumers contend with higher gas prices in the coming summer months.
Read More →
Stellantis Launches Pro One in North America
Stellantis has launched Stellantis Pro One in North America, unifying its commercial vehicle operations under a global business unit and outlining plans for new vans, pickups, and fleet-focused services.
Read More →
The Future of Fleet is Closer Than You Think | AF News Recap
Cybersecurity threats, autonomous vehicle strategies, and hands-on crash testing experiences are all making headlines this week. Here's a quick look at the trends shaping the future of fleet.
Read More →
Nominations Open for 2026 Fleet Safety Award
Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Fleet Safety Award Winner.
Read More →
Commercial Fleet Sales Still Lead Sectors Despite May Mini Dip
The U.S. economy's continued growth and positive business investment are creating a favorable environment for fleet vehicle demand.
Read More →
Stellantis Pro One Unveils 2030 Strategy: 11 New Models, Autonomous Concept, and Uptime-as-a-Service
The commercial vehicle division sets ambitious targets, including 30% volume growth and a push toward 100% vehicle uptime through a new ecosystem services platform.
Read More →
Ford Pro Expands 5-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Warranty to Additional Commercial Vehicles
Beginning with the 2027 model year, Ford Pro will extend its 5-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty to a broader range of commercial vehicles, including several SUVs, pickups, and EVs purchased by eligible fleet customers.
Read More →