‘India charges 70%’: Trump announces 25% reciprocal tariffs on foreign-made cars | World News
US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on all foreign-made automobiles, arguing that the United States has been at a disadvantage in global trade for decades. The move, he claimed, was necessary to revive American manufacturing and correct what he called “horrendous imbalances” in international trade.
“For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, and plundered nations near and far, both friend and foe alike,” Trump said during his speech, blaming past American leaders for allowing such trade disparities to pers.
Trump pointed to discrepancies in global tariff structures, noting that while the US imposes only a 2.4 per cent tariff on motorcycles, other countries charge significantly more. “Thailand and others are charging much higher prices—like 60 per cent. India charges 70 per cent. Vietnam charges 75 per cent, and others are even higher than that,” he said.
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He also highlighted differences in the automobile industry. “Until today, the United States has for decades charged a 2.5 per cent tariff on foreign-made automobiles. The European Union charges us more than 10 per cent, and they have 20 per cent VATs—much, much higher.”
Trump framed the new tariffs as a necessary step to rebuild domestic industries. “We will pry open foreign markets and break down foreign trade barriers, and ultimately, more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers,” he said.
He also pointed to the dominance of domestic car production in Japan and South Korea as examples of nations protecting their own industries. “Eighty-one per cent of the cars in South Korea are made in South Korea. Ninety-four per cent of the cars in Japan are made in Japan. Toyota sells 1 million foreign-made automobiles into the United States, and General Motors sells almost none.”
While criticising the trade imbalances, Trump insed that foreign nations were not to blame. “I don’t blame these other countries at all for this calamity. I blame former presidents and past leaders who weren’t doing their job,” he said.Story continues below this ad
The speech culminated in the formal announcement of the new trade measure. “That’s why, effective at midnight, we will impose a 25 per cent tariff on all foreign-made automobiles,” Trump declared.
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