Truump aims at “unfair external competition”: a new 25%customs duty was imposed from November 1
New trucks are exhibited at TEC Equipment, on September 26, 2025 in Dixon, California, USA. Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / Profimedia
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that all average and heavy trucks imported to the United States will be subjected to a 25% customs duty from November 1, the decision marking a significant escalation of his efforts to protect American companies from foreign competition, writes Reuters.
Last month, Trump said that imports of heavy trucks will be subjected to new customs duties starting October 1, for national security reasons, claiming that new rates aim to protect the producers from “unfair external competition” and that this measure will benefit companies such as Peterbilt and Kenworth, owned by Pacîm, owned by Freightline.
Within the commercial agreements concluded with Japan and the European Union, the United States agreed on 15% for light vehicles, but it is not clear whether they will be applied to higher vehicles.
The Trump administration has also allowed producers to deduce the value of American components in the rates paid for light vehicles assembled in Canada and Mexico.
Larger vehicles include delivery trucks, garbage trucks, public utility trucks, transit buses, shuttles and school buses, trailer trucks, as well as semi -trailers and heavy professional vehicles.
The US Chamber of Commerce has previously urged the Trade Department not to impose new truck rates, mentioning that the first five import sources are Mexico, Canada, Japan, Germany and Finland, “all being allied or close to the United States, who are not a threat to US national security.”
Mexico is the largest exporter of medium and heavy trucks to the United States. A study published in January shows that imports of high-tonnage vehicles from Mexico have tripled since 2019, reaching about 340,000, according to government statistics.
According to the USMCA North American exchange agreement, the medium and hard tonnage trucks are exempted from customs tariffs if at least 64% of the value of a heavy truck comes from North America, ie it uses parts such as engines and axles, raw materials such as steel or uses local labor for assembly.
The new rates are at risk of affecting Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, which produces large tonnage and commercial vehicles in Mexico. Stelantis has put pressure on the white house in order not to impose high rates on its trucks made in Mexico.
The Swedish Volvo group is building a heavy -Ft 700 million dollar truck factory in Monterrey, Mexico, which is about to start operating from 2026.
According to the US International Trade Administration, Mexico hosts 14 manufacturers and bus assembly, trucks and tractors, as well as two motor producers.
Mexico opposed the new rates, transmitting in May the American Trade Department that all the Mexican trucks exported to the United States have, on average, 50% American content, including diesel engines.
Last year, the United States imported from Mexico parts for heavy vehicles worth nearly $ 128 billion, representing about 28% of total imports of this type, Mexico said.
