Former President Donald Trump has once again turned his attention to trade policy, this time vowing to impose a 100% tariff on every car imported from Mexico if he is re-elected in the upcoming November election.
During a rally in Savannah, Georgia, Trump made the bold statement, claiming, “We will put a 100% tariff on every single car coming across the Mexican border. The only way they’ll get rid of that tariff is if they want to build a plant right here in the United States, with you people operating that plant.”
This proposed tariff would impact major auto manufacturers like Ford Motor Company, Chrysler parent Stellantis NV, and General Motors, all of whom currently produce cars in Mexico. Even Tesla, the electric vehicle giant, recently paused plans to build a factory in Mexico due to potential policy changes and tariffs after the election.
Trump’s tariff proposals have been a consistent theme throughout his political career. He believes that imposing high tariffs on goods made outside the United States will force companies to manufacture domestically, creating jobs in the U.S. However, critics argue that these tariffs would ultimately be passed on to American consumers, with manufacturers unlikely to shoulder the burden.
This latest tariff threat follows a similar pledge last week where Trump promised to impose a 200% tariff on vehicles manufactured by Chinese automakers in Mexico and imported to the United States.
The implications of these proposed tariffs are far-reaching, potentially affecting the auto industry, trade relations between the U.S. and Mexico, and the overall economic landscape. It remains to be seen whether Trump’s bold statements will translate into policy action if he wins the election, and how the Mexican government and the auto industry will respond.
