A car carrier trailer waits in line next to the border wall before crossing to the United States at Otay commercial port in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on Jan. 22, 2025.
Guillermo Arias | AFP | Getty Images
DETROIT — As President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico as soon as Saturday looms, the global automotive industry is collectively holding its breath.
For months, automakers have been taking a “wait-and-see” approach to the Trump administration’s potential tariffs. Trump promised to impose duties upon his inauguration this month, then he set a target date of Feb. 1 for levies on the key U.S. trading partners.
Regardless of whether Trump imposes tariffs, automakers such as General Motors — the top seller in the U.S. — want clarity so they can plan their business around the policy.
A tariff is a tax on imports, or foreign goods, brought into the United States. The companies…
