US President Donald Trump (79) has announced new import tariffs in certain types of trucks. From November 1st, a delivery of 25 percent should apply to moderate trucks and certain classes heavy trucks, Trump said on Monday. With the taxes on so -called “Medium Duty Trucks” and “Heavy Duty Trucks”, the President is driving his controversial customs policy, with which he claims to support domestic industry. From October 1, Trump had already announced an inch of 25 percent on heavy trucks from October 1. Now it is about larger vehicles, but they are not designed for heavy transports. This includes, for example, forwarding trucks, semi-trailers and special vehicles, but also various buses and garbage trucks.
For light commercial vehicles, such as smaller delivery vans, they had USA agreed with Japan and the EU to an inch of 15 percent. It was initially unclear whether this agreement also applies to heavier vehicles. At the announcement of the tariffs on heavy trucks from October 1, Trump had stated that he wanted to protect domestic manufacturers from unfair competition from abroad. The measure will benefit US manufacturers such as Peterbilt, Kenworth and Freightliner, says Trump. In addition, for reasons of national security, it is necessary that the transport companies in the United States are financially healthy and strong. Freightliner is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck.
Trump’s approach is also controversial in the USA. The American Chamber of Commerce pushed the US Ministry of Trade to refrain from new tariffs on trucks. After all, the vehicles would come mainly from Mexico, Canada, Japan, Germany and Finland, which are all the allies or close partners of the United States. They were not a threat to national US security.
Most vehicles that are to be occupied with the new tariffs are delivered from Mexico. But the levies could also be the Chrysler mother Stellantis Meeting that produces vans in Mexico and large RAM pickups. Stellantis has campaigned in the White House to ensure that these vehicles are not charged high tariffs.