U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 25th (local time) that he will impose a 25% tariff on foreign-made heavy trucks starting on the 1st of next month.
Trump said on his social media (SNS) Truth Social that he was doing so "to protect our great heavy-truck manufacturers from unfair outside competition."
He explained that with this measure, "our great heavy-truck manufacturers, including Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Mack Trucks, and others, will be protected from the onslaught of external interference."
He added, "For many reasons, our truck drivers need to be financially sound and strong, but above all, it is necessary for national security purposes."
The imposition of tariffs on foreign-made heavy trucks is seen as based on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. This provision grants the president the authority to restrict imports through appropriate measures, including the imposition of tariffs, if it is determined that imports of certain items threaten national security.
Earlier, the U.S. Department of Commerce said on Apr. 23 that it had launched an investigation under this provision to assess the impact of imports of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and their parts on national security. At the time, the department said it was examining the volumes and conditions of imports of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and parts.