US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account that a 25% tariff on all medium and heavy trucks imported from other countries will go into effect starting November 1, 2025 .
The announcement adjusts the original date , planned for October, and maintains, according to the president, the intention of protecting American manufacturers under the guise of national security.
However, the decision has rekindled concerns in Mexico, where most of the production and export of heavy vehicles to the North American market is concentrated.
So far, the National Association of Bus, Truck, and Tractor-Trailer Manufacturers (ANPACT) told T21 that it has no precise information on the application of the tax or possible exceptions for Mexico. The official silence keeps the industry in a climate of commercial uncertainty .
Mexico is the world’s leading exporter of tractor-trailer trucks , and if other types of trucks are included, the United States accounts for more than 81% of foreign sales. Between January and August of this year alone, exports to that market reached 72,283 units , according to ANPACT figures.
The measure comes at a time of declining sales and puts pressure on the competitiveness of plants established in Mexico, which supply a large part of the North American market.
According to Luis Miguel Jiménez , partner at Von Wobeser y Sierra , previously consulted by T21, proving a risk to national security is complicated in this case, so the imposition of tariffs could be considered a violation of the USMCA .
He also warned that the price increases resulting from this measure would end up affecting the American consumer himself .
T21 anticipated this scenario in previous reports on the risks posed by the U.S. Department of Commerce ‘s investigation under Section 232 , the same law that now supports Trump’s argument. With the schedule now set, the Mexican industry faces key weeks of negotiation and legal analysis to mitigate an impact that could hinder its export leadership.
For her part, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that her government will seek to reach an agreement with the United States before November 1 , the date the tariffs will take effect.
Sheinbaum reported that Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard is already in talks with U.S. authorities to address the issue and avoid impacts on bilateral trade .
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