Detroit’s automakers are pressing the Biden administration to maintain protections from new tariffs proposed by former President Donald Trump, following a Supreme Court decision that broadened his authority to impose such duties. The American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC), representing General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, sent a letter to Trump’s trade team on Friday requesting the preservation of a framework shielding them from multiple import taxes on vehicles and parts, according to a source familiar with the communication.
The automakers face potentially billions of dollars in increased costs due to Trump’s tariffs on imported autos and components, as well as duties on steel and aluminum. These tariffs were initially enacted under the premise of national security concerns. While the Supreme Court recently curtailed Trump’s broader use of tariffs against many countries, the automotive levies remained unaffected by that ruling, according to reports.
Last April, Trump signed directives designed to lessen the impact of his tariffs on the automotive sector, specifically preventing the stacking of multiple levies on the same goods. The AAPC is now seeking to ensure this framework remains in place as Trump has signaled his intention to implement a flat 10% levy on all foreign goods and initiate further trade investigations that could lead to more permanent tariffs.
The request from the AAPC comes after a period of fluctuating tariff policies under the Trump administration. In March 2025, the administration granted automakers a one-month exemption from tariffs, prompting a surge in the stock market, with shares of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis all experiencing significant gains. The AAPC at the time applauded the move, stating that vehicles and parts meeting specific US and USMCA content requirements should be exempt from such duties.
More recently, in July 2025, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick downplayed concerns raised by the AAPC regarding a new trade deal with Japan, suggesting that U.S. Auto CEOs were “cool with” the agreement despite its potential to deliver Japanese automakers a competitive advantage. The deal imposed a 15% tariff on cars exported from Japan to the U.S., while U.S. Automakers faced a 25% levy on vehicles produced in Canada and Mexico.
As of Friday, the White House had not responded to the AAPC’s latest letter, according to the source. The AAPC represents a significant portion of the American automotive industry, with its members – Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company, and Stellantis – collectively shaping the sector’s policy positions in Washington D.C.
