The White House press secretary said Trump decided to pause the 25% tariffs on auto imports after talking to officials with Ford, GM and Stellantis.
Stellantis has told its U.S. dealers the 25% tariffs on products from Mexico and Canada will put the carmaker at a disadvantage against its Asian and European peers, an email sent to its retailers showed on Tuesday.
The Big Three automakers Ford (F), General Motors (GM) and Chrysler-owner Stellantis (STLA) face a huge reduction in profits from a prolonged tariff war, according to analysts at Bernstein, adding to growing fears that an escalating trade war between the U.S. and its nearest neighbours could effectively wipe out profits for the auto industry.
A possible 25 percent levy on goods from Canada and Mexico is likely to raise the prices consumers pay for new cars and trucks, and disrupt complex supply chains.
The Trump administration is granting a one-month carveout on tariffs against Canada and Mexico for automakers, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced.