US to Impose 25% Tariffs on Trucks

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that a 25% tariff on imported medium- and heavy‑duty trucks will take effect Nov. 1, 2025, a one‑month delay from an earlier Oct. 1 start date. The move follows a Commerce Department Section 232 probe into trucks and parts and is presented as a measure to protect U.S. manufacturers such as Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner and Mack. The tariffs are slated to cover a broad range of larger vehicles — from delivery and garbage trucks to transit, shuttle, school buses and semi‑trucks. The economic effect will hinge on whether USMCA-origin exemptions apply for major suppliers Mexico and Canada, and administration officials have not released full details on exemptions or implementation. The announcement prompted intense lobbying and mixed reactions — Detroit legacy automakers and protectionist groups pushed for relief while the U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned against new levies on allied trading partners — and analysts say the duties could disrupt manufacturers and the broader trucking sector already facing higher input costs and regulatory pressures.