US President Donald Trump has not warned auto industry leaders not to raise prices while tariffs on foreign-made cars take effect, telling NBC News that he “doesn’t care” if they do, Al Jazeera Balkans reports.
The White House is preparing to impose new tariffs on a range of consumer goods on April 2, a move that has drawn criticism from international leaders and concerns about potential price increases for consumers, Hina reports.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump said his permanent tariffs on foreign-made cars would be a boost for US-based factories. He is confident the move will lead to increased sales of cars made in the United States.
“I hope they raise prices, because if they do, people will buy American-made cars,” Trump said.
Trump claimed he would only consider negotiating tariffs “if people are willing to give something of great value.”
The tariffs are part of Trump’s efforts to promote American manufacturing and reduce the country’s trade deficit. Trade policy has been a key focus of his presidency, with tensions with major trading partners continuing.
The 25 percent tariff will take effect on April 2 and will apply to all cars not made in the United States, meaning even American manufacturers with models built abroad will be subject to the same tariffs.
The auto tariffs are the latest in a series of tariffs the US president has imposed since taking office.
Trump has already imposed a 20 percent tariff on all imports from China and a global 25 percent tariff on imported steel and aluminum.
In February, Trump announced a blanket 25 percent tariff on all Canadian and Mexican imports, but later paused the tax on certain goods and services under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
