![Why Did Tesla Stock [TSLA] Rise Again?](https://cleantechnica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-10-at-3.31.36 AM.png)
U.S. Commerce Secretary: President Trump To Soften Auto Import Tariffs
President Trump’s tariffs sent the auto industry scrambling for answers to what could become an expensive problem, but the White House appears ready to back off some of the most aggressive trade actions. The 25 percent tariffs on auto parts were scheduled to go into effect on May 3, just days from now, but Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick issued a statement suggesting the President would make some concessions to lessen their impact.
President Trump’s tariffs sent the auto industry scrambling for answers to what could become an expensive problem, but the White House appears ready to back off some of the most aggressive trade actions. The 25 percent tariffs on auto parts were scheduled to go into effect on May 3, just days from now, but Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick issued a statement suggesting the President would make some concessions to lessen their impact.
“President Trump is building an important partnership with both the domestic automakers and our great American workers. This deal is a major victory for the president’s trade policy by rewarding companies who manufacture domestically, while providing runway to manufacturers who have expressed their commitment to invest in America and expand their domestic manufacturing,” Lutnick said.
The change would lessen some of the levies on American cars with parts built overseas, and it would not require automakers to pay tariffs on metals like aluminum and steel. Yesterday, automakers said they expected the relief ahead of Trump’s visit to Michigan. Trade groups have been pushing the President to back off the planned tariffs, saying in a letter, “Tariffs on auto parts will scramble the global automotive supply chain and set off a domino effect that will lead to higher auto prices for consumers, lower sales at dealerships, and will make servicing and repairing vehicles both more expensive and less predictable.”
[Images: Honda, Chevrolet, Ram]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
