President Donald Trump said a 25% tariff on imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks will begin Nov. 1, after officials postponed the original Oct. 1 start to review industry concerns about the measure's impact.
The move marks a significant escalation in Trump's trade policy, aimed at shielding U.S. manufacturers such as PACCAR (Peterbilt, Kenworth) and Daimler's Freightliner from foreign competition.
The tariff follows a Section 232 investigation launched earlier this year to assess the national security impact of truck imports. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act allows tariffs on goods deemed critical to national security.
The Commerce Department launched the probe to assess national security risks tied to imports of medium- and heavy-duty trucks over 10,000 pounds, along with related parts.
According to a Federal Register notice, the investigation cited concerns that a "small number" of foreign suppliers dominate U.S. imports, aided in part by government subsidies and what it described as "predatory trade practices".
Trump announced the decision via Truth Social, stating that all qualifying trucks entering the U.S. from abroad will be subject to the new duty.
"Beginning November 1st, 2025, all Medium and Heavy Duty Trucks coming into the United States from other Countries will be Tariffed at the Rate of 25%," the U.S. president posted on social media on Oct. 6, without offering further details.
In 2024, the U.S. imported more than 245,000 medium- and heavy-duty trucks, valued at over US$20 billion, according to Commerce Department data.
The new 25% tariff on these vehicles, set to begin Nov. 1, is part of a broader expansion of President Trump's industry-specific trade measures. His administration has already imposed tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper, automobiles, and auto parts under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
Additional duties targeting softwood timber, lumber, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and upholstered wood furniture are scheduled to take effect on Oct. 14, with some rates rising to 50% on Jan. 1, 2026. These moves reflect a continued push to protect domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
