Trump had previously set the tariff rate at 25% before lowering it to 15% in August 2025.
Coveragetap to expand ▾Spectrum: Mixed🌍US: 3
- President Donald Trump announced plans on Friday to increase tariffs on imported cars and trucks from the European Union to pressure manufacturers to produce more automobiles in America.
- Plants, there will be NO TARIFF,” the president wrote on Truth Social Friday.
The current tariff was initially set at 25% before being lowered to 15% in August 2025, reflecting a shift in trade policy aimed at balancing international trade relations while bolstering American industry.
Trump highlighted that over $100 billion is being invested in new manufacturing plants across the country, which he claims represents a historic commitment to American workers and the automotive sector. These plants are expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth as they prepare to open soon.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters praising the focus on domestic production, while critics warn of potential trade tensions with the European Union. The implications of this tariff increase could ripple through the automotive market, affecting prices and availability of European vehicles in the U.S. market.
Left- and right-leaning outlets are covering this story differently — in which facts to emphasize, which context to include, and how to frame causes and consequences.

