On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, dubbed “Liberation Day,” President Donald Trump announced his much-anticipated reciprocal tariffs set to go into effect on Thursday, April 3, 2025, and the administration clarified some of the automotive tariffs that are set to go into effect on Thursday, April 3, 2025, and May 3, 2025. Here is what we know so far.
- Base Tariffs: A new 10% tariff will be imposed on all imports from all countries. These tariffs will apply as of April 5, 2025.
- Automobile Tariffs: Automobiles will be subject to a 25% tariff starting April 3, 2025. Automobiles are defined to include “passenger vehicles (sedans, sport utility vehicles, crossover utility vehicles, minivans, and cargo vans) and light trucks.”
- Automobile Parts Tariffs: 25% tariffs on automobile parts were clarified further, and the applicability date was moved to May 3, 2025. A full list of parts and HTS codes is expected to be released soon.
- Country-Specific Tariffs: Numerous country- and region-specific tariffs will be imposed based on tariffs and other trade barriers those countries impose on U.S. exports. The import tariffs imposed will be approximately 50% of the trade barriers imposed on U.S. exports. While the full list of countries subject to these new tariffs is long, of note are tariffs for the following countries and regions, scheduled to go into effect on April 9, 2025:
- China: 34%
- European Union: 20%
- Japan: 24%
- India: 26%
- South Korea: 25%
- United Kingdom: 10%
- Brazil: 10%
- Vietnam: 46%
- Taiwan: 32%
- Thailand: 36%
- Indonesia: 32%
- South Africa: 30%
- Chile: 10%
- Australia: 10%
- Turkey: 10%
- Peru: 10%
- Costa Rica: 10%
- Argentina: 10%
These country-specific tariffs will be imposed on top of any other tariffs. For example, imports from China originally had a 10% base imposed that was then increased to 20%. On top of this 20% tariff will be the country-specific tariff of 34%.
Known Exceptions:
- Mexico and Canada: Mexico and Canada are currently exempted from these new base tariffs and country-specific tariffs but are still subject to the separate 25% tariffs imposed on these imports earlier. Relatedly, products compliant with USMCA will continue to be duty free. Note that the automobile and automobile parts tariffs will still apply to imports from Mexico and Canada.
- Section 232 Tariffs: Articles and derivative articles of steel and aluminum subject to Section 232 duties will not be subject to this new tariff scheme outlined above. They will continue to be subject to Section 232 tariffs. For example, steel and aluminum derivatives subject to Section 232 tariffs coming from Europe will still be subject to the Section 232 tariffs, but will not be subject to the additional 30% announced on April 2 (10% base tariff and 20% European Union specific tariff).
- Specific Articles Exemptions: “Copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber articles, and certain critical minerals, and energy and energy products” are not subject to the new tariff scheme outlined above. However, they may be subject to other existing tariffs, such as the tariffs imposed on imports from China, Canada, or Mexico.
