Trump considers auto tariff pause amid world economic whiplash

Auto industry representative notes 'increasing awareness' of damage from broad tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump waits to greet El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele at the White House on April 14. Amid uncertainty from Trump's tariff policy, he has claimed that he is flexible, but doesn't change his mind. © AP

April 15, 2025 09:20 JST

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump on Monday suggested that he might temporarily exempt the auto industry from tariffs he previously imposed on the sector, to give carmakers time to adjust their supply chains.

"I'm looking at something to help some of the car companies with it," Trump told reporters gathered in the Oval Office. The Republican president said automakers needed time to relocate production from Canada, Mexico and other places, "And they need a little bit of time because they're going to make them here, but they need a little bit of time. So I'm talking about things like that."