Honda, Nissan, Mazda await Trump tariffs with flexible production plans

Japanese carmakers weigh reallocating U.S.-bound manufacturing from Mexico, Canada

Vehicles wait at a port in Yokohama, Japan. Automobiles, including passenger cars and trucks, account for 28% of Japan's exports to the U.S. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)

SAYUMI TAKE

February 18, 2025 16:23 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese carmakers are considering ways to adjust their production plans before U.S. President Donald Trump implements tighter tariff policies on their products -- possibly within a few weeks.

Trump said Friday that announcements related to tariffs on imported cars would come "around April 2" without elaborating further. This move adds a new concern for automakers -- including Honda Motor, Nissan Motor and Mazda Motor -- that already face other tariff measures, such as reciprocal tariffs, tariffs on steel and aluminum and possible 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada.