Trump says he ‘couldn’t care less’ if auto prices rise because of tariffs

[Michael Cole]

The US still sells cars in China even with the 25% tariff.

25% isn't enough for sales to drop to zero.

When price goes up, unit sales go down. This results in layoffs.

Also most of the world markets don't have a large automotive manufacturing industry so they really don't have a choice but to allow low/no tariff imports.

Tariffs have become essentially useless in the free world. Tariffs on China are national security based. Chips and anything vulnerable to electronic manipulation are controlled.

Tariffs make no economic sense among free democracies.

Yes, I realize the world's ability to cut off their nose to spite their face.

So to replace the Model Y do you suppose they are abandoning EVs all together, or are they going to buy from another US EV manufacturer... their other option is Chinese EVs if they are OK with the exploding batteries.

Electric power is the future. At the moment, it's built on lithium. The US imports virtually 100% of lithium, which is why the Biden administration approved the Thacker Pass mine. Trump hasn't mentioned either the mine or lithium in general. I wonder why.

I notice you didn't say anything about the F-series and Silverado.



LOL! If Trump putting tariffs on exports?

By the way, as of 2021, the cost of cars in Canada is already 20% higher than in the US, so....

If Trump wants to raise taxes, he could increase the corporate rate by a couple points. Worked well for Clinton. Of course, that's not Trump's plan. His plan is to tax consumers. Because - he's for the little guy.

 

[mike2810]

This is what you get when one takes a snippet of a conversation out of context...and then engages in spin, speculation, innuendo and hyperbole.

and this is whatyou get when one tries to support Trump unconditionally.

What will happen to prices of Ford or GM vehicles when the tariffs kick in?
You do realize that while some are assembled in the US many have parts made elsewhere. That the US is years away from making every part for a vehicle in the US.

It would be interesting to see if someone will eventually sue the Trump Administration over the lack of environmental impact analysis of having all this new proposed manufacturing being done in the US.

imo, Trump is going to fail on this venture of moving most manufacturing back to the US. The average citizen will just get stuck with higher prices till he is out of office.

 

[911Sparky]

So you clearly do not know conditions pertained in USMCA.

And threre is no indication at this time American car makers are planning to pass the cost to consumers.

And a company like Ford who manufactures 80% of their vehicles in the US they wil fare well.

Ford manufactures 80% of their cars in the US, using approximately 50% of parts made in Canada and Mexico.

 

[Allan]

If Trump wants to raise taxes, he could increase the corporate rate by a couple points.

Corporations would go ballistic.

It's easier for him to increase taxes on individuals because MAGA will cheer him on.

 

[jmotivator]

And the US provides insane subsidies to its dairy industry

Between 2019 and 2024 the US subsidized the US dairy industry a total of $3.3 billion USD.

In that same time the US dairy industry produced about 132 billion gallons of milk, which is equivalent to 0.9¢ per liter Canadian in subsidies.

A liter of milk in the US currently is $1.50 CAD and the cost of a liter of milk in Canada is $3.03 CAD

So to fight that 1¢ CAD in US dairy subsidy on a liter of Milk the Canadians will pay 100% more for their milk.... good job?

 

[mike2810]

Don’t buy a foreign car.

Duh….

Ford, GM, Ram, etc. all have parts made in other countries and subject to the tariff on parts. Just like Toyota, Honda, Subaru who have plants in the US.

What fully made in America vehicle is there that you would buy?

 

[mike2810]

CNN isn't a valid news source

what news source do you consider valid that is covering the story of Trump saying "couldn't care less if auto prices...?

 

[jmotivator]

Another lie.

What I said about those trucks...

You are the one lying. the statement I was responding to was your comment on the Model Y.

As for the 25% markup, as I pointed out, most of the world has no auto manufacturing, so US cars are sold without a tariff.

Canada already pays nearly tariff-level markups on their cars sold in Canada because, unlike the US, all of your cars get the added cost of being shipped to you across oceans... assuming you will stomp your feat and never by a US made car again.

Americans became accustomed to the markup of EU and Asian imports, so moving that manufacturing to the US barely impacted the price of a car since the added cost of labor was offset by the savings from shipping.

 

[Hatuey]

Don’t buy a foreign car.

Duh….

This has the same energy as if you don't like your internet provider, just get wifi.

 

[Yes_Minister]

Between 2019 and 2024 the US subsidized the US dairy industry a total of $3.3 billion USD.

In that same time the US dairy industry produced about 132 billion gallons of milk, which is equivalent to 0.9¢ per liter Canadian in subsidies.

A liter of milk in the US currently is $1.50 CAD and the cost of a liter of milk in Canada is $3.03 CAD

So to fight that 1¢ CAD in US dairy subsidy on a liter of Milk the Canadians will pay 100% more for their milk.... good job?

Wouldn't equalized trade mean you would have drop all the subsides? US subsidized corn is causing havoc in Mexico:

Dumping Without Borders: How US agricultural policies are destroying the livelihoods of Mexican corn farmers - Oxfam Policy & Practice

The Mexican corn sector is in acute crisis because of the influx of cheap subsidised corn imports from the US. Poor Mexican farmers cannot compete against US producers, who receive $10bn a year in subsidies. Action is required at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun in September 2003 to end...

policy-practice.oxfam.org

 

[Callen]

So to fight that 1¢ CAD in US dairy subsidy on a liter of Milk the Canadians will pay 100% more for their milk.... good job?

The reason dairy imports are low is because your producers use hormones and antibiotics and those are not allowed in our dairy. Stop doping and maybe we would buy more.

 

[Michael Cole]

Corporations would go ballistic.

They're expecting a cut. Salivating over stock buyouts. You know they're not going to use the increased after tax profit to build factories. That would be dumb. These tariffs die with Trump, which will be 2029 at the latest. Barring illness or impeachment and removal, of course.

It's easier for him to increase taxes on individuals because MAGA will cheer him on.

Individual Americans can't spell supply and demand much less define it. One would think facts on the ground would substitute for a lack of education. I'll try again using their favorite oligarch, Elon Musk.

Elon announced the Tesla semi in 2017. The plant will begin production late this year.

Eight years. Eight years from announcement to production. Two full presidential terms.

We won't be seeing any plants being built as a result of tariffs. What we will see is the current plants emptying out. When auto sales decrease, layoffs ensue. MAGA can't think that far, apparently.

 

[Callen]

Canada already pays nearly tariff-level markups on their cars sold in Canada because, unlike the US, all of your cars get the added cost of being shipped to you across oceans... a

What the hell are you talking about? Most of our cars are assembled here or come in from the US tarrif free. These cars are assembled on Canada and we provide parts for most assembled in the US

Dodge Charger Daytona
Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler Voyager
Chevrolet Silverado
Lincoln Nautilus
Ford Edge
Ford GT
Toyota RAV4
Lexus RX
Honda Civic Sedan
Honda Civic Coupe
Honda CR-V

 

[Allan]

CNN isn't a valid news source

The source isn't CNN. The source is Trump.

 

[Mycroft]

and this is whatyou get when one tries to support Trump unconditionally.

Nah. It has nothing to do with supporting Trump unconditionally.

It's about pointing out the tactics of the Trump haters.

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

Between 2019 and 2024 the US subsidized the US dairy industry a total of $3.3 billion USD.

In that same time the US dairy industry produced about 132 billion gallons of milk, which is equivalent to 0.9¢ per liter Canadian in subsidies.

A liter of milk in the US currently is $1.50 CAD and the cost of a liter of milk in Canada is $3.03 CAD

So to fight that 1¢ CAD in US dairy subsidy on a liter of Milk the Canadians will pay 100% more for their milk.... good job

3. Billion seems low. This says it is 22 billion a year

The Controversial Canadian System That Could Save American Dairy

America’s dairy farmers are caught in a crisis, drowning in excess milk, while their Canadian counterparts thrive under a “socialist” supply management system. As prices fluctuate wildly and small farms vanish, is it time for the U.S. to rethink its free-market obsession? Discover the shocking...

www.thebullvine.com

 

[Michael Cole]

I ask you the same question: Do foreign countries only manufacture goods for sale in the US?

I manufacture widgets in Bumstruck Egypt. I can make them cheaper than MAGA. MAGA loves me. But being the communists they are, they demand the government interfere with the free market. The communist government delivers. MAGA doesn't love me anymore. Poor MAGA.

And if by "lowering prices on day one" you mean, "the cost of everything is going up," then welcome to the machine.

Trying to defend what the WSJ called the dumbest trade war in history is a losing proposition.

 

[Allan]

Trying to defend what the WSJ called the dumbest trade war in history is a losing proposition.

I liked their more recent headline:
"We called it the dumbest trade war in history. We were being kind".

 

[911Sparky]

Better export prospects? Have you thought this through?

Don’t you think other countries will also impose tariffs on American products?

trump hasn't told them this part.

 

[jmotivator]

What the hell are you talking about? Most of our cars are assembled here or come in from the US tarrif free. These cars are assembled on Canada and we provide parts for most assembled in the US

Dodge Charger Daytona
Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler Voyager
Chevrolet Silverado
Lincoln Nautilus
Ford Edge
Ford GT
Toyota RAV4
Lexus RX
Honda Civic Sedan
Honda Civic Coupe
Honda CR-V

This is akin to the Canadian boast about Canadian electricity exports, the numbers don't say what you think they do.

Canadian auto part exports to the US were $5.8 billion while the US auto industry in 2023 was $1.6 trillion.

Canada accounted for 0.3% of the US auto industry.

 

[NolanVoyd]

Don’t buy a foreign car.

Duh….

The price of domestic cars will rise too.

Duh......

 

[BirdinHand]

notice you didn't say anything about the F-series and Silverado

You realize that both of these will have tariff applied because they have foreign components, right?

 

[Michael Cole]

I liked their more recent headline:
"We called it the dumbest trade war in history. We were being kind".

"Why did you vote for Trump?"

"He's going to lower prices!"

"But tariffs raise prices?"

"Tariffs are gonna make us rich!"

"Ooookay. Let's try a different tact. What's your opinion of Hamilton's Federalist #68?"

"Who? Wut?"

*hands notes to Trump voter*

The process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. Talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity, may alone suffice to elevate a man to the first honors in a single State; but it will require other talents, and a different kind of merit, to establish him in the esteem and confidence of the whole Union, or of so considerable a portion of it as would be necessary to make him a successful candidate for the distinguished office of President of the United States.

*walks away, shakes head*

 

[jmotivator]

I manufacture widgets in Bumstruck Egypt. I can make them cheaper than MAGA. MAGA loves me. But being the communists they are, they demand the government interfere with the free market. The communist government delivers. MAGA doesn't love me anymore. Poor MAGA.

Are you say that "MAGA" loves Chinese imports? Which group is screaming about tariffs, again?

The comment you are responding to was the silly assertion that if moved all us-sold manufacturing to the US that these other countries wouldn't have any manufacturing.

And if by "lowering prices on day one" you mean, "the cost of everything is going up," then welcome to the machine.

Who are you quoting? It's not me.

But much of the a lot of overseas manufacturing labor savings is reapplied in cost of shipping.

Also worth pointing out: Those old days that the Liberals used to lament are gone when people made a living wage were back in the days when most goods purchased in the US were manufactured in the US.

Trying to defend what the WSJ called the dumbest trade war in history is a losing proposition.

I don't farm out my opinions.

 

[Michael Cole]

Are you say that "MAGA" loves Chinese imports?

Yes, MAGA loves to shop at Walmart.

Which group is screaming about tariffs, again?

The economists and those who made it to second year ECON.

The comment you are responding to was the silly assertion that if moved all us-sold manufacturing to the US that these other countries wouldn't have any manufacturing.

No, I'm responding to the silly notion that artificially raising costs is a positive.

Who are you quoting? It's not me.

But much of the a lot of overseas manufacturing labor savings is reapplied in cost of shipping.

Trying to pencil whoop those whose decisions move billions in investment dollars is naive. They know what they're doing.

Also worth pointing out: Those old days that the Liberals used to lament are gone when people made a living wage were back in the days when most goods purchased in the US were manufactured in the US.

I don't care about liberals. Any mention of liberals is a deflection from the topic.

I don't farm out my opinions.

Your opinions are based on false notions. Namely, the notion that government interference in the free market will result in anything but pain for consumers.

Trump ran his campaign on lowering prices. How's that for batshit stupid.