The tariffs will impact medium and large vehicles ranging from delivery trucks and shuttles to semi-trucks and heavy-duty vocational vehicles.
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that all medium and heavy-duty trucks entering the United States will see a 25 percent tariff starting on Nov. 1.
“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%,” Trump wrote on social media.
Late last month, Trump said he was imposing a 25 percent tariff on all heavy trucks made in other parts of the world starting on Oct. 1, citing national security concerns. He said the move was aimed at protecting American truck manufacturers like Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Mack Trucks, and others “from the onslaught of outside interruptions.”
The announcements mark the latest step in the president’s global tariff regime, which has targeted multiple sectors and industries importing products from outside the United States.
Recent trade deals with Japan and the European Union also saw the United States agreeing to 15 percent tariffs on light-duty vehicles, but it’s not clear if the same rate will be applied to larger vehicles.
Larger vehicles vary from delivery trucks to public utility trucks, garbage trucks, transit and shuttle vehicles, school buses, tractor-trailer trucks, semi-trucks, and heavy-duty vocational vehicles.
The tariffs follow a Section 232-type investigation into imports of medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks initiated by the Commerce Department in late April. Section 232 investigations are intended to determine “the effect of imports on the national security,” according to the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security.
Jeffrey Kessler, the under secretary of commerce for industry and security, wrote in a statement that “a strong and resilient automotive and truck industry is vital to our national security.”
At the time, the Commerce Department said it was taking public comment in relation to the investigation.
The following month, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce responded to the Commerce Department’s Section 232 investigation and urged the Trump administration not to impose new tariffs on medium and heavy-duty trucks.
The Chamber of Commerce noted that “imports of medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks (commercial trucks) and parts used in their manufacture are sourced overwhelmingly from U.S. allies and defense partners.”
“The top five import sources … are Mexico, Canada, Japan, Germany, and Finland, all of which are allies or close partners of the United States, posing no threat to U.S. national security,” the chamber added.
By Jacob Burg
