Refrigerated Trailers
Sourcing Guide & Market Intelligence

Tariffs to negatively impact the commercial vehicles and components sector

• In June, the Trump Administration implemented 25.0% tariffs on all automobile and automobile parts imported into the United States, except for those imported from the United Kingdom, which face a reduced 10.0% tariff rate. Additionally, the administration raised tariffs on the import of aluminum, copper, and steel to 50.0%, all vital inputs for automotive manufacturing, and raised the tariffs on heavy trucks made outside the United States to 25.0%.
• In 2024, the value of automotive imports totaled $388.9 billion, which accounted for over a quarter of the total US automotive market revenue that year. Thus, these tariffs are likely to significantly increase the cost of motor vehicles, parts, and maintenance services, as both foreign manufacturers and domestic manufacturers with foreign sub-suppliers face higher import costs.
• According to the US International Trade Commission, Mexico and Canada account for 47.4% of motor vehicle imports to the United States, and 54.1% of motor vehicles bodies and parts. According to Anderson Economic Group (AEG), a Michigan-based economic consultancy, the broad-based 25.0% tariff could raise new car prices by $1,000 to $4,000, and up to $10,000 if manufacturers are unable to mitigate the tariff’s impact.
• Germany is a major exporter of crane trucks, vehicles, vehicle seating and interior trim, and other components in the sector. The higher automotive and metals tariffs will mean that many German companies, even those operating in the United States, will face higher costs to import subcomponents to their facilities in the United States.
• According to Telemetry Insights, many auto parts suppliers will be unable to absorb the tariffs or adjust to mitigate the tariff impact (e.g., relocating their facilities or splitting efforts across three countries). The introduction of 50.0% metals tariffs could drive up production costs further.

Increased tariffs on copper imports take effect

• On August 1, the Trump administration implemented 50.0% tariffs on imported copper. Chile and Canada will be most impacted by these tariffs, as they account for a combined 87.0% of all copper imports in the United States.
• However, these tariffs are less sweeping than initially expected, only applying to semi-finished copper products, while excluding high-purity refined copper and copper input materials, such as ore and concentrate. As leading importers, such as Chile and Canada, have both high copper mining and refining capacities, they will likely avoid most of these tariffs by either exporting the copper in its unrefined form or refining the copper before exporting it to the United States
• These copper tariff exemptions limit the impact on the electronics and electrical equipment sectors because these applications require refined copper due to its optimal conductive properties.
• Thus, the prices of metal alloys that include copper, consumer products made from copper, tools, plumbing, corrosion-resistant alloys, and construction materials made from copper are forecast to rise by an average of 39.2%, according to the Yale Budget Lab.

United States announces new tariffs on all imported steel

• In February 2025, the United States announced 25.0% tariffs on all imported steel with no exemptions or exceptions. The tariffs took effect on March 12, 2025. On June 4th, these tariffs were increased further to 50%. These tariffs were not impacted by a recent court decision that temporarily suspended duties on certain goods as they were implemented under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
• Previously, countries such as Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, the top exporters of steel to the United States, had exemptions from tariffs. These have now been removed and all imported steel, regardless of origin, will be subject to the 50.0% tariff. However, on May 8th, the US announced an agreement with the United Kingdom to remove all levies on steel exported from the UK.
• When tariffs on steel imports were introduced in March 2018, they contributed to an increase in the price of steel and steel products. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of steel-milled products increased by 10.2% in the year after the tariffs were implemented. This market heavily relies on steel as an input and may be impacted by this policy.