With gas prices rising by the day, President Donald Trump has taken action to ensure that car prices will also rise.
Trump announced new tariffs on cars from the European Union in a Truth Social message on Friday.
“I am pleased to announce that, based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States,” Trump said in the message.
“The Tariff will be increased to 25%. It is fully understood and agreed that, if they produce Cars and Trucks in U.S.A. Plants, there will be NO TARIFF. Many Automobile and Truck Plants are currently under construction, with over 100 Billion Dollars being invested, A RECORD in the History of Car and Truck Manufacturing. These Plants, staffed with American Workers, will be opening soon — There has never been anything like what is happening in America today! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
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Trump had declared that he is imposing the tariff “next week,” rather than immediately, indicating that there is room for negotiation or delay. Also, as noted by The Hill, “The agreement was notably lower than a 30-percent tariff the president had threatened for the E.U. and avoided a trade war between the two sides…. In February, E.U. leaders said that they will not accept an increase in U.S. tariffs in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling against some of Trump’s most wide ranging tariffs.”
Trump: “I raised the tariffs on cars and trucks to 25%. That’s billions of dollars coming into the United States. We have right now in the United States over $100 billion of car plants being built. It’s a record.” pic.twitter.com/Rq2MHp5d14
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 1, 2026
Trump has also, The Hill noted, chided Europe for not being helpful enough with the Iran war.
There were some shocked social media reactions to the latest tariff move.
Trump says he will raise tariffs to 25% on cars and trucks from the European Union starting next week.
More taxes on Americans. Great. pic.twitter.com/S6XVuJChbP
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) May 1, 2026
‘the inexpensive car is already dead in the U.S., as there are only four cars available in the U.S. for under $25,000 right now, and three of them will potentially be pulled from the market by year’s end.’ Tariffs play a role, and it’s a bad one.https://t.co/5VZTFPNWjM
— Nick Gillespie (@nickgillespie) April 30, 2026
So a $50,000 European car will now cost Americans $62,500 at least. If the car is made in USA then no tariff. He claims ‘many car & truck plants are under construction & opening soon’. Where exactly & exactly how many? I call bullshit. Between tariffs & kill switches I’m done. https://t.co/87C7JPGU51
— ChrisTheBarMan (@ChrisTheBarMan) May 1, 2026
Another weekend with a shock to the markets. Tariff tensions are back on the table
Donald Trump says the US will raise tariffs on EU car and truck imports to 25% from 15% next week, accusing the bloc of not complying with last year’s trade deal
The move reverses a… pic.twitter.com/SvNzSxWlHl
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) May 1, 2026
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
