After speaking by phone with the heads of GM, Ford, and Stellantis Wednesday, President Donald Trump decided to give automakers a 30-day reprieve from his imposed 25 percent blanket tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Wednesday, "We are going to give a one-month exemption on any autos coming through USMCA... so they are not at a disadvantage."
According to Reuters, "The move will benefit U.S. automakers and other foreign automakers that are in compliance."
But many social media users questioned the effect these on-again, off-again tariffs will have on U.S. businesses.
Washington Post opinion writer Catherine Rampell wrote on BlueSky, "I'm sure the auto industry welcomes this temporary reprieve -- but again, how can businesses possibly make investment/hiring decisions in this environment?"
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Economist Joshua Failé posted, "Business can’t make investment or hiring decision in the chaotic environment, but the members of regime either don’t care about the implications or don’t understand them. And some, I believe, want these impacts for their own gain, particularly the technofascist billionaire oligarchs backing this.
Attorney George Conway did not mince words about Trump on X, posting, "What an incredibly incompetent clown. Maybe he should have thought about the (patently obvious) effect of tariffs on the auto industry *before* imposing them? He’s like a monkey on a keyboard."
"lol - Trump pauses some auto Tariffs. What a way to incite fear in our markets…" posted wealth manager Peter Mullin, while writer Stephen Best posted, "So, mad President @realDonaldTrump is giving a 30 day pause on tariffs on cars from Canada. Canada should not pause and maintain its 25% counter tariff on cars coming from US. Technically in trade negotiations this is called ‘F---- you.’
Leavitt added during Wednesday's announcement, "Reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2." Trump claimed the tariffs are meant to stem the flow of fentanyl and undocumented migrants over the borders and into the U.S, even though only a tiny fraction of fentanyl crosses into the U.S. from Canada.