President Donald Trump said that he “couldn't care” if international car manufacturers increase prices because of his 25% rates for all foreign car parts and imported vehicles announced a few days ago.
The move – which was censored by foreign car manufacturers and leaders and led to the fall of shares in shares for companies such as General Motors and Ford, according to the Associated Press – escalated tensions in an imminent trade war. The American Automotive Policy Council that represents domestic car manufacturers said in a statement that “it is crucial that rates are implemented in a way that prevents the prices for consumers to be increased and which retains the competitiveness of the integrated North -American car sector.”
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In a vast interview with NBC News, Trump claims: “The message is congratulations, if you make your car in the United States, you will earn a lot of money. If you don't, you probably have to come to the United States, because if you make your car in the United States, there is no rate.”
Asked if he had convened the American car industry CEOs to tell them that they should not increase prices, such as The Wall Street Journal I reported, Trump, “No, I never said that. I don't care if they increase prices because people are going to buy in American cars. I don't care. I hope they increase their prices, because if they do, people in America will buy cars. We have enough.”
He concluded: “No, I don't care, because if prices for foreign cars rise, they will buy American cars.”
As previously reported, foreign car parts that have been assembled in the interior would still see a tax of 25%. Companies that import vehicles under the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA), the free trade agreement that was established during the first Trump era, will remain tariff-free until the government determines a process for levying the taxes, the White House said.
When it was asked if there was 'room for negotiation' at the expected rates of 2 April, Trump replied: “Only when people are willing to give us something of great value. Because countries have great value, there is no room for negotiation.”
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