US announces long-term tariffs on imported cars and auto parts

In an interview with NBC News, President Trump affirmed that tariffs on cars and auto parts imported into the US will certainly be maintained to "ensure fairness".

Mr Trump stressed that he “doesn’t care” if automakers raise prices after the US imposed a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars, which he said could lead to increased demand for domestically produced cars.

Last week, NBC News reported that the US will impose a 25% tariff on imported auto parts, even if they are assembled into domestically produced vehicles.

On March 29, Mr. Trump announced that he would not delay the imposition of tariffs, which are scheduled to take effect on April 2. He also left open the possibility of negotiating the tariff issue, but only if the parties put forward a proposal that "has real value."

In February, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imported from abroad, including the European Union (EU). In March, Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported cars, which is expected to take effect on April 2.

On March 27, the US leader warned that he would impose higher tariffs on goods from the EU and Canada if the two sides cooperated on tariffs. According to media reports, the EU is expected to respond by imposing “double-digit” tariffs on US goods starting April 2.

In a related development, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on March 30 that the EU wants to cooperate with the US, but the bloc is ready to respond if Washington imposes tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

Speaking at the Hanover Industrial Trade Fair in Germany, Mr. Scholz warned that a trade war would harm both the US and the EU. Mr. Scholz affirmed that the EU's goal is cooperation, but if there is no other choice, such as in the issue of tariffs on steel and aluminum, the bloc will take countermeasures.