Trump Vows to Impose Massive Tariffs to Protect American Car Industry

In an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Futures, former President Donald Trump doubled down on his economic strategy to impose steep tariffs on foreign carmakers, a plan he says is essential for protecting U.S. automakers. Trump suggested raising tariffs on foreign vehicles by 200%, or even as high as 500%, to prevent overseas manufacturers, particularly those from China and Mexico, from competing with American car companies.

“I’ll put 200 or 500%, I don’t care, until they can’t sell one car here,” Trump declared, emphasizing that his goal is to stop foreign automakers from undermining U.S. manufacturing. He stressed that allowing foreign-made cars to dominate the market could lead to the collapse of the remaining U.S. car companies.

Trump’s proposal comes amidst criticism from several quarters, including conservative outlets like The Wall Street Journal, which warned of the potential negative impact such tariffs could have on the economy. The former president dismissed these concerns, arguing that the tariffs would not only bring car production back to the U.S. but also strengthen American manufacturing.

“We have the golden market. We have the money,” Trump said, warning that without drastic action, the U.S. risks losing its economic edge in car production. His plan is part of a broader economic agenda aimed at reshoring American industries and reducing dependency on foreign goods.