As is well known, US President Donald Trump has announced import tariffs of 25% for all cars not built in the USA and introduced them on April 2-3, 2025. This is a major change and will make the new car business of European and Asian car manufacturers significantly more difficult.
However, there is good news for American classic car enthusiasts, as the new import duty will not apply to all old cars that are at least 25 years old and will remain at 2.5%. This is particularly important for auction houses, as cars are often moved across the Atlantic at auctions.
The exception in the draft regulation reads as follows: "all entries of passenger vehicles (sedans, sport utility vehicles, crossover utility vehicles, minivans, and cargo vans) and light trucks from all countries classifiable in the headings or subheadings enumerated in subdivision (b) of this note that were manufactured in a year at least 25 years prior to the year of the date of entry."
Of course, it is now important that any counter-tariffs from Europe or Japan also make exceptions for old cars, otherwise international trade will certainly be negatively affected.