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Donald Trump doubles down on China carmakers being unwelcome in US market
‘They’re going to pay a 100 per cent or maybe even a 200 per cent tariff,’ former president declares in battleground state of Michigan
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Bochen Hanin Washington
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Thursday said he would take steps to prevent Chinese carmakers from selling vehicles in the US as part of his plan to save the American auto industry.
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“They’re going to pay a 100 per cent or maybe even a 200 per cent tariff because we’re not going to let them come into our country and destroy what’s left of our auto industry”, Trump said on Thursday, addressing the Detroit Economic Club in the manufacturing state of Michigan.
Trump was referring to Chinese cars potentially being made in Mexico and shipped stateside tax-free under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Chinese auto companies have been rumoured to be scouting for production facilities in Mexico, although major mainland electric-vehicle maker BYD said it would pause such plans until after America’s presidential election in November.
Trump said he would formally notify Canada and Mexico of his intention to renegotiate the USMCA – currently slated for review in 2026 – to address concerns about Chinese vehicles.
The former president also proposed making interest on car loans fully tax-deductible, saying this would “stimulate massive domestic auto production” and “make car ownership dramatically more affordable” for millions of Americans.
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