Auto groups lobby Trump administration against parts tariffs in rare unified message

Source: NBC News

Published Tue, Apr 22 2025 3:59 PM EDT Updated 4 Hours Ago


DETROIT – Six of the top policy groups representing the U.S. automotive industry are uncharacteristically joining forces to lobby the Trump administration against 25% tariffs on auto parts that are set to take effect by May 3.

The group – representing franchised dealers, suppliers and nearly all major automakers – say in a letter to Trump administration officials that the upcoming levies could jeopardize U.S. automotive production. The letter notes many auto suppliers are already “in distress” and wouldn’t be able to afford the additional cost increases, leading to broader industry problems.

“Most auto suppliers are not capitalized for an abrupt tariff induced disruption. Many are already in distress and will face production stoppages, layoffs and bankruptcy,” the letter reads. “It only takes the failure of one supplier to lead to a shutdown of an automaker’s production line. When this happens, as it did during the pandemic, all suppliers are impacted, and workers will lose their jobs.”

The letter, dated April 21, is addressed to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer. It is signed by the heads of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, American International Automobile Dealers Association, Autos Drive America, vehicle suppliers association MEMA, National Automobile Dealers Association, and American Automotive Policy Council.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/22/auto-groups-lobby-trump-administration-against-parts-tariffs.html

---

(have been looking for a copy of the actual letter sent but below are some press releases, etc. from some signatories)

Link to Alliance for Automotive Innovation PRESS RELEASE - Statement on Auto Industry Tariffs

Link to Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) PRESS RELEASE - SEMA LETTER TO PRESIDENT TRUMP HIGHLIGHTS TARIFFS IMPACTS

Link to Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) LETTER (PDF) - https://info.sema.org/rd/9z4zpjbs5bg2gcscc90rlbcaon50ajhudi68ne0q4g8_rp22sh2s8i6eob5c9jmcob0cdh2bs