Trump grants automakers temporary relief from tariffs
President Trump granted automakers a one-month reprieve from the import tariffs he imposed on Canada and Mexico — avoiding major disruption of the North American auto industry but underscoring the fickle nature of U.S. trade policy in the Trump era.
The president granted the tariff relief after conversations with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, who complained that the import taxes that kicked in on Tuesday would make them less competitive than their European and Japanese rivals.
“The president is giving them an exemption for one month so they are not at an economic disadvantage,” said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. She stressed that “reciprocal tariffs” on imports from Europe and Asia are still set to take effect next month.
The White House said the exemption would also apply to other automakers operating in North American so long as they meet the content requirements of the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement, or USMCA, which Trump signed in 2020.
Over the last three decades, automakers have developed highly integrated operations in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, with some vehicles crossing the border multiple times during assembly. The 25% tariff on imports from the United States’ northern and southern neighbors could jeopardize that system.
Trump wants the automakers to do more of their manufacturing in the United States.
“That’s the ultimate goal,” Leavitt said.
Not all get the tariff reprieve
The tariff relief doesn’t extend to the many other products the U.S. imports from Canada and Mexico, including lumber, fresh produce, tequila and Canadian whisky. Economists say much of the cost of the tariffs is ultimately passed along to consumers.
Trump said he spoke by telephone Wednesday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“The call ended in a “somewhat” friendly manner, Trump said in a social media post.
Stocks rallied as investors hoped for additional tariff relief. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 485 points, Wednesday, erasing more than a third of its loss in the two previous days.
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting
The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
