The medium and heavy trucks and buses will be subject to tariffs in the United States starting this Saturday, November 1, as part of President Donald Trump’s large-scale protectionist offensive, although with some exemptions.
Imported trucks will be subject to a 25% tariff, while a 10% surcharge is imposed on buses.
Since his return to power in January, Trump has established a surcharge of at least one 10% on most imported productsas well as specific tariffs for sectors considered strategic (steel, aluminum, automobiles, copper and wood for construction).
Heavy trucks and buses join this list.
The intention of the US government is to favor national industry, reduce the country’s enormous trade deficit, generate new public revenues and negotiate with the main producers preferential conditions for US products, in exchange for a tariff reduction.
The road transport lobbyAmerican Trucking Associations), which brings together more than 37,000 companies, had asked the government to waive these tariffs.
However, the new taxes will not apply completely to trucks coming from Canada and Mexicoprovided that its production meets the criteria established within the framework of the free trade agreement between the three countries (T-MEC).
For affected vehicles, only non-U.S.-made parts will be subject to a 25% tariff going forward. But for now they are exempt, while the Commerce Department determines how to apply the measure.
According to experts, most of the trucks imported into the United States come from its neighbors.
On the other hand, for buses, the 10% tariff will be fully applied to vehicles from both neighboring countries, whether or not they are covered by the T-MEC.
