Toyota Responds to Donald Trump White House Steel Tariffs
Toyota makes unprecedented move by standing up to United States administration’s 25% tariff on imported steel.
Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States of America, has issued a proclamation on the imports of steel into the country. It’s called White House Proclamation 232, and it’s very important to future and security of the automotive industry.
We heavily encourage you to read Proclamation 232 in full, in the link above. It’s worth your while. In short, President Trump has already demanded changes be made to NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement. Regardless of your political leaning, Trump’s attack on NAFTA, and his general isolationist attitude towards working with Mexico, puts automakers in a tough spot. Making cars is a global business for every manufacturer, these days, with parts built across the globe, just as assembly is handled worldwide. Proclamation 232’s proposed 25% tariff on imported steel articles (read: cars) coming from key contributors, such as Canada, Mexico and Brazil, among others, can have a dastardly effect on automakers, and their sustainability in the United States.
Toyota has issued a formal statement to the White House on Proclamation 232, that the company has made public to all:
This Executive Proclamation is a major set-back for American consumers, workers and the auto industry.
Toyota has been deeply engrained in the U.S. for over 60 years. Between our R&D centers, 10 manufacturing plants, 1,500-strong dealer network, extensive supply chain and other operations, we directly and indirectly employ over 475,000 in the U.S., and have invested over $60 billion in this country, including over $1 billion in philanthropic and community-outreach efforts.
Today’s proclamation sends a message to Toyota that our investments are not welcomed, and the contributions from each of our employees across America are not valued.
We have been a leader in R&D through open-sourcing of patents in critical technologies such as fuel cells, hybrid electrification and continue to be transparent and collaborative with our innovations. Our goal is to develop technologies that help society and contribute to sustaining the economy and jobs in the U.S. We continue to innovate in areas of AI, autonomous and robotics technologies that will further contribute and improve our American society.
Most every American has a Toyota story and we are very proud of the fact that over 36 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles are still on U.S. roads today. Our operations and employees contribute significantly to the American way of life, the U.S. economy and are not a national security threat.
History has shown that limiting import vehicles and parts is counterproductive in creating jobs, stimulating the economy and influencing consumer buying habits. These artificial limitations would reduce consumer choice and impact all automakers since vehicle parts used in U.S. manufacturing are sourced from around the globe. If import quotas are imposed, the biggest losers will be consumers who will pay more and have fewer vehicle choices.
We remain hopeful that the upcoming negotiations on trade can be resolved quickly and yield what is best for the American consumer, workers and the auto industry.
Buckle up, everyone, this could be a bumpy ride.