U.S. to Impose 25% Tariff on Imported Heavy Trucks Starting Nov. 1

Cargo trucks at a Daimler Freightliner plant in Derramadero, Mexico, on Sept. 27. President Donald Trump now says medium- and heavy-duty trucks imported into the U.S. will face a 25 per cent tariff starting Nov. 1

President Donald Trump announced that the United States will impose a 25% tariff on all imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks beginning November 1, 2025. The move marks a significant escalation in his administration’s protectionist trade agenda, aimed at shielding American manufacturers from what he has described as “unfair outside competition.”

The tariff will apply to a wide range of vehicles, including delivery trucks, garbage trucks, school buses, semi-trailers, and other heavy-duty vocational vehicles. Mexico, Canada, Japan, Germany, and Finland are among the top exporters of such trucks to the U.S., with Mexico being the largest supplier.

Industry groups are divided on the decision. Supporters argue the tariff will strengthen domestic companies such as Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, and Mack Trucks, while critics—including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—warn it could disrupt supply chains, raise costs, and strain trade relations with key allies.

The announcement follows a Commerce Department investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which allows tariffs on imports deemed a national security risk. Trump had initially signaled an October 1 start date but delayed implementation by one month.

Analysts say the impact will hinge on whether exemptions are granted under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which allows tariff-free trade if trucks meet strict North American content requirements. Without such exemptions, Mexico’s truck industry—already a major hub for global manufacturers—could be hit hardest.