The Trump administration has rejected requests from Ford and other U.S. automakers for relief from aluminum tariffs, despite supply disruptions caused by fires at Novelis’ Oswego, New York plant. The facility, which serves about a dozen OEMs, suffered two fires in late 2025 and is not expected to return to full opera

On April 2, U.S. President Trump signed a proclamation to strengthen tariffs imposed on imported steel, aluminum, and copper to more effectively address national-security threats.
The changes will maintain 50% tariffs on many imported steel, aluminum and copper products, even as it moves to simplify duties for goods

While at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, Nissan Americas chairman Christian Meunier warned that any negative changes in procurement formulas in the upcoming USMCA talks that resulted in higher tariffs on Mexican-built vehicles, with the purpose to spur production in the U.S., would push prices up on its mo

Reported on March 29, 2026, the Cambodian government has introduced significant tax reductions on a range of goods, including hybrid (HEVs), plug-in hybrid (PHEVs), and fully electric vehicles (BEVs), aiming to stimulate economic activity and promote the adoption of green technology.
Effective April 1, import duties

On March 25, it was reported that President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated that Mexico expects to renegotiate tariffs on auto parts, aluminum, and steel with the United States through a newly established working group.
Speaking at the 82nd annual assembly of CAINTRA, Sheinbaum indicated that discussions on the

2025 was a challenging year for global politics and the world economy. On one hand, regional conflicts erupted in multiple regions, posing challenges to global energy supplies and maritime supply chains. On the other hand, protectionism gained momentum, with tariff barriers proliferating worldwide, further straining

On March 24, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) welcomed the conclusion of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and Australia. The tariff reductions on vehicles will put EU exports on an equal footing with other major auto-exporting countries, which already e

On March 24, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) issued a statement welcoming the free trade agreement between the EU and Australia. It opens significant opportunities for the European automotive industry. In 2025, Germany exported automotive goods worth EUR 2.3 billion to Australia. The anticipat

On March 23, the European Union notified the Mercosur countries of the instrument of provisional application for the EU-Mercosur interim Trade Agreement (iTA). By sending its “note verbale” to Paraguay, the legal guardian of the Mercosur treaties, the European Commission has taken the final procedural step required f

Reported on March 15, 2026, China’s BYD rejected U.S. accusations that its Rayong facility is being used to circumvent tariffs by routing exports through Thailand. The response comes as the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) investigates global “excess capacity” under Section 301, including conce

On March 17, Volvo Cars confirmed it will end U.S. sales of the EX30 and EX30 Cross Country after the 2026 model year, with dealer orders closing on March 20 and production of U.S.-bound vehicles winding down throughout the summer. The model will continue to be sold in Canada, Mexico, and other global markets.
Volvo

Reported on March 13, 2026, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has launched an investigation into 16 trading partners, including Thailand, under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, focusing on policies that may contribute to structural excess manufacturing capacity that could hinder efforts to reshore production and

On March 11, United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced the initiation of investigations over the policies and practices of numerous countries under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 relating to structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors. 
As part of its investigation, t

On March 5, a federal judge ruled that the U.S. government must begin paying out more than USD 130 billion in tariff refunds to U.S. businesses after the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's wide-reaching "reciprocal" tariffs. More than 2,000 companies have filed lawsuits seeking refunds for the illegal tariff

On March 2, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit rejected the Trump administration’s request to delay the fight over refunds of IEEPA tariffs for importers, in steps to reopen the legal proceedings and send the case back to the U.S. Court of International Trade. The court denied the government’s request

On February 27 in a post of his Truth Social, U.S. President Trump expressed his displeasure at the U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding his IEEPA tariffs that he says could allow billions of dollars to be returned to countries and companies that he says have been “ripping off” the U.S. 
”It doesn’t make sense that

On February 26, U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Small Business Committee Ranking Member Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., released legislation to require full refunds of Trump’s IEEPA tariffs after they were struck down by

On February 23, it was reported that Mexico’s exports to U.S. end up being benefited by the new tariffs, including the automotive industry.
On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the president lacked authority to impose sweeping tariffs under the IEEPA. Therefore, President Donald Trump enacted a provision

On February 25, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that the U.S. ⁠tariff rate for some countries will go up ‌to 15% or ‌higher ⁠from ⁠the newly-imposed 10%, without naming any specific trading partners or ⁠other ⁠details.
"Right now, ⁠we have the 10% tariff. It'll go up ⁠to 15 % for some and then it may ⁠g