Are US-made cars spared from Trump’s auto tariffs?

A drone view shows new automobiles awaiting transportation after arriving at the port of San Diego in San Diego, California, US, February 19, 2025. [Mike Blake/Reuters]

United States President Donald Trump and his allies have offered a solution to avoiding price hikes because of his car tariffs: buy American.

Trump told NBC News on March 29 that he “couldn’t care less” if foreign car manufacturers raised prices in response to tariffs. “I hope they raise their prices because if they do, people are going to buy American-made cars,” Trump said. “We have plenty.”