By Steven Symes 
With the specter of tariffs looming over the auto industry, some have been acting like it’s the end of the world, but President Trump has thrown yet another curve ball. After moving his tariffs deadline, he’s now saying some automakers might get a reprieve from the 25 percent tariff.
Car repossessions are skyrocketing.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on April 14, Trump said automakers “need a little bit of time” when it comes to sourcing components from US suppliers versus outside of the United States.
NEWS: Trump just said he is going to do something to help some of the car companies from the current tariff situation.
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) April 14, 2025
“They need a little bit of time.” pic.twitter.com/3m7o9EMFte
How exactly that would work remains unknown as the president didn’t supply any details. But it was enough for automotive stocks to start rising immediately after, especially the Big Three, reports CNBC. Even Rivian saw a nice boost in stock values from the announcement.
While we and automakers await details of how this tariffs reprieve might work, we wonder how many companies will take advantage of it. After all, we covered before how some automakers seem intent on just pouting instead of adapting to the evolving economic landscape.
For example, GM and Hyundai are both moving production from other countries, including Mexico, to US plants. With this latest development, a GM representative told CNBC a previously planned shutdown in Tennessee “is being rescinded.” Obviously, the automaker has realized the game has changed.
Others might capitalize on whatever incentives President Trump throws out there. That in turn could determine who prospers in what’s arguably the most important and most competitive automotive market in the world.
Obviously, this move is to help build some goodwill and get automakers enthusiastic about shifting production to within the US borders while also sourcing vehicle components domestically. Will it work? And if so, what kind of overall effect will it have on the country’s economy? Those questions will be answered as the slow process of reshuffling manufacturing continues.
Image via Ford