US to roll out 25% duties on trucks by 1 November

US President Donald Trump has announced that the 25% tariff on medium and heavy trucks will take effect on 1 November, Reuters reports. The levies — initially slated for rollout on 1 October — are pitched as a means of shielding stateside manufacturers, like Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Freightliner, from “unfair outside competition,” Trump reportedly said.

What about existing trade agreements? Despite reaching trade agreements with the EU and Japan, and establishing a 15% tariff on light-duty vehicles, it remains unclear whether Washington will impose the 25% levy on larger vehicles originating from these trade partners. It is also unclear if trucks made in Mexico eligible for tariff exemption under the North American trade agreement will also be subject to the 25% tariff rate.