Cars could soon be more expensive again as tariff-loving Trump warns automakers they’re next come April

U.S. President Donald Trump, joined by Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, signs an executive order on reciprocal tariffs in the Oval Office at the White House on February 13 (Credit: Andrew Harnik—Getty Images)

• The Trump administration is preparing to bypass Congress and unilaterally increase the 2.5% duty levied on most new light-duty vehicles imported into the United States. This could reignite inflationary pressure on new cars that have spiked in cost by 20% over the past five years.

Just when consumers had hoped the price of new cars would finally stabilize, President Donald Trump is threatening to hike them again.