Fact Sheet — Addressing National Security Risks from Imports of Medium/Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Parts, and Buses

Fact Sheet — Addressing National Security Risks from Imports of Medium/Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Parts, and BusesDate: October 17, 2025Action: President Trump signed a Proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose tariffs aimed at bolstering domestic truck/bus manufacturing and protecting national security.TariffsProduction incentivesExclusionsNational security finding: Commerce’s Section 232 investigation determined that rising imports threaten to impair U.S. national security.Critical role of trucks/buses: essential for military readiness, troop movements, disaster response, and continuity of critical infrastructure; trucking moves over 70% of U.S. freight.Supply chain concerns: since the 1990s, offshoring increased reliance on foreign vehicles/parts; imports now ~43% of U.S. medium/heavy truck sales. Dependence on foreign engines, batteries, shafts, castings, forgings creates vulnerabilities.Policy continuity: builds on prior Section 232 actions (steel, aluminum, copper, autos); Commerce probing additional sectors (semiconductors, aircraft, wind turbines, robotics, UAS, PPE). Broader “America First” trade policy and regulatory reductions cited.Key measuresRationale and context