Trump Tariffs Hurt New Auto Prices, Jobs, Consumers

Trump’s proposed tariffs are opposed by virtually every trade group associated with manufacturing.

The National Auto Dealers Association, usually on the Republican right wing side of issues, says that “even after taking into account the mitigating effects of the new United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA, which is not passed), tariffs on autos and auto parts under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 would still be extremely detrimental to consumers and the U.S. economy, and cause significant vehicle prices increases and job losses.”

It appears that NADA is starting to understand research by the respected Center for Automotive Research – oft cited by AutoInformed – that across-the-board tariffs on autos and auto parts would lead to large increases in the prices of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. – along with significant decreases in both annual new-car sales and auto industry jobs.

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CAR’s ongoing analysis provides ten consequences based on different combinations of U.S. trade policies and deals including: Section 232 autos and auto parts tariffs; the USMCA; current (as of Jan. 21, 2019) Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports; and current Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs.

If the USMCA is implemented in its current form, other tariffs continue unmodified, and the Section 232 auto and auto parts tariffs are imposed – even with exemptions for Canada, Mexico and South Korea – CAR estimates:

• As many as 366,900 U.S. jobs will be lost – including ~77,000 franchised dealership jobs;
• U.S. light-duty vehicle prices will increase by $2,750 on average;
• U.S. new light-duty vehicle sales will drop by up to 1.3 million units per year;
• Many consumers will be forced into the used car market; and
• The cost of maintaining and repairing vehicles will go up.

NADA rightly notes that CAR said that broad-based Section 232 autos and auto parts tariffs would still be responsible for more than 90% of the total economic harm caused by implementation of the collective trade policies currently being pursued.

“This analysis confirms that broad Section 232 tariffs on autos and auto parts still present the biggest trade-policy threat to consumers and the U.S. economy,” said NADA President and CEO Peter Welch. “NADA understands and appreciates the Administration’s attempts to level the trade playing field and eliminate unfair trade practices, but expansive Section 232 auto tariffs are the wrong tool for the job because they will lead to dramatic price increases, depressed vehicle sales and job losses.”

Welch, who testified against Trump’s trade policies last July before the Department of Commerce, again encouraged the Administration to avoid imposing broad-based tariffs on autos and auto parts.

“We should continue to work together to address genuine trade concerns, but without hurting American consumers and small businesses in the process,” Welch added. NADA is worried that under a 25% tariff on all imports and parts, “consumers would see the price of the typical vehicle sold in the United States rise by $4,400. Prices of U.S.‐assembled vehicles will rise due to an increase in the cost of imported vehicle parts, adding $2,270 to the price. For the typical imported vehicle, these tariffs raise consumer prices by $6,875 per vehicle.”