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President Donald Trump has warned that medium and heavy trucks imported to the US will face a 25 per cent tariff starting on November 1, in a new move to overhaul supply chains in the global car industry.
Trump announced the step in a Truth Social post on Monday, on the eve of a visit to the White House by Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada, which would be heavily affected by any new tariffs on US truck imports.
The president had said in late September that he would be imposing 25 per cent tariffs on some truck imports this month but failed to implement them, raising questions about his commitment to the policy. His statement on Monday suggests he is determined to press ahead.
“Beginning November 1st, 2025, all Medium and Heavy Duty Trucks coming into the United States from other Countries will be Tariffed at the Rate of 25%,” Trump posted.
Since Trump returned to the White House for his second term he has slapped levies on a wide range of automobile and auto parts imports from around the world, in a bid to spur more domestic production.
The White House has not offered any details on the truck tariffs, including whether vehicle parts would be affected and whether imports from Canada and Mexico would be exempt if they are compliant with the domestic content rules in the existing free trade agreement between the North American neighbours.
The announcement on the eve of the White House meeting between Trump and Carney could overshadow their talks on Tuesday. Canada, which has strong economic ties to the US, has been trying to avoid an escalation in the trade war with its southern neighbour.
“Hopefully the PM is able to get progress on some tariff relief. It would be a welcome step in the right direction,” said Goldy Hyder, president of the Business Council of Canada.
Flavio Volpe, president of Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association said his group would “need to wait and see the paperwork via the registry or an Executive Order”.
“It’s unclear whether this policy-by-social post intends an exemption for US content like on light vehicles or a USMCA [the North American trade deal] exemption for major components like engines,” Volpe said. “The OEMs are fighting for both,” he said, referring to the big carmakers.
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