Bloomberg "Trump to Announce Auto Tariffs as Early as the 26th"

Imported Passenger Cars Worth $240 Billion Annually Targeted

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce automobile tariffs as early as the 26th (local time), Bloomberg News reported.

AP Yonhap News

The news agency cited anonymous sources saying that President Trump could take such measures before announcing reciprocal tariffs next week.

The tariff rate is expected to be 25%, which President Trump indicated in February when confirming item-specific tariff policies on automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.

The U.S. automobile tariff measures are likely to target imported passenger cars and light trucks worth more than $240 billion as of last year. The news agency noted, "The automobile tariff measures that President Trump is preparing to announce as early as Wednesday (the 26th) could escalate conflicts with global trading partners ahead of the broad tariffs to be imposed next week."

President Trump had previously hinted at an imminent announcement of automobile tariffs on the 24th. At that time, he told reporters that item-specific automobile tariffs could be announced "quite soon, within a few days."

If the Trump administration announces automobile tariffs, South Korea, which has a large share of automobile exports to the U.S., is also expected to be directly impacted. According to the Korea International Trade Association, South Korea's exports to the U.S. in 2024 are projected to reach a record high of $127.786 billion, of which automobile exports account for the largest share at 27.1%, totaling $34.744 billion. Amid growing concerns over a tariff bomb on automobiles, Hyundai Motor Group announced on the 24th a new investment plan worth $21 billion (approximately 31 trillion won) in the U.S. over the next four years at the White House.