President Donald Trump sparked fresh discussion about his economic policies during a phone interview with NBC News.
Addressing his administration’s recently imposed 25% tariffs on foreign-made automobiles, Trump remarked that he “couldn’t care less” if foreign automakers raised prices in response.
The statement, reported across multiple outlets, underscores his unwavering commitment to prioritizing American manufacturing, even at the potential cost of higher consumer prices.
In the NBC News interview, Trump elaborated on his stance, saying, “I couldn’t care less if they raise prices, because people are going to start buying American-made cars.”
He framed the tariffs as a boon for U.S. automakers, suggesting that foreign companies would be incentivized to shift production to the United States to avoid the levies.
“If you make your car in the United States, there is no tariff,” Trump added, congratulating domestic manufacturers on the potential windfall.
This aligns with his long-standing “America First” agenda, which has often embraced protectionist measures to bolster domestic industry.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier claims that Trump had urged motor industry CEOs not to raise prices, but the president dismissed this in the NBC interview.
“No, I never said that,” he clarified, reinforcing his indifference to price hikes by foreign firms.
This contradiction highlights the fluid nature of Trump’s messaging, as noted by CNN, which described the tariffs as a “high-stakes gamble” that could either revitalize U.S. manufacturing or burden consumers with inflated costs.
Reuters provided additional context, noting that the 25% tariff, announced earlier in March 2025, targets imports from countries like Japan, Germany, and South Korea—major players in the global auto market.
Industry analysts cited by Reuters expressed concern that companies such as Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai might pass these costs onto American buyers rather than absorb them, potentially driving up the price of popular models.
Yet Trump’s comments suggest he views this as an acceptable trade-off if it pressures foreign automakers to relocate production stateside.
The Associated Press (AP) echoed this sentiment, quoting Trump’s assertion that “people will buy American” if foreign cars become too expensive.
The AP also interviewed economists who cautioned that such a shift could take years, leaving consumers with fewer affordable options in the interim.
“The auto industry doesn’t turn on a dime,” said Dr. Ellen Hughes, an economist at the University of Michigan, in the AP report. “This could mean higher prices and reduced competition for a while.”
Posts on X reflected a polarized public reaction. Some users praised Trump’s hardline stance, arguing it would create jobs and strengthen U.S. industry.
Others criticized his apparent disregard for working-class Americans who rely on affordable foreign vehicles, with one user writing, “Of course he doesn’t care, he’s rich.”
These sentiments underscore the broader debate over tariffs as a tool for economic nationalism versus their immediate impact on everyday consumers.
Bloomberg added a global perspective, reporting that foreign automakers are already reevaluating their strategies.
German automaker BMW, for instance, hinted at potential price adjustments for its U.S. market, while Japan’s Toyota emphasized its existing American plants as a buffer against the tariffs.
Trump’s indifference to these adjustments, as highlighted in Bloomberg’s coverage, suggests he’s betting on long-term gains over short-term consumer relief.
