1. United States
2. Mont.
3. Letter

The new 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts will have severe consequences for the American auto industry, workers, and consumers. Nearly half of all vehicles sold in the U.S. are imported, and 60% of auto parts used in U.S. assembly plants are imported. Rather than promoting domestic manufacturing, these tariffs will disrupt complex cross-border supply chains that the industry relies on, leading to lower production, vehicle shortages, and substantially higher costs passed onto consumers. Automakers may have to curtail entry-level models that become unprofitable. While seeking to aid the domestic industry, these tariffs could backfire and harm U.S. automakers that depend on imports and foreign production. Furthermore, the adversarial treatment of close trading partners like Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and European nations is concerning. Our economies are deeply intertwined through decades of free trade agreements and foreign direct investment. Alienating allies through punitive tariffs and threats, while offering no robust strategy for new trade deals, puts economic growth at risk and strains strategic alliances. A collaborative approach respecting existing ties would be more prudent for advancing America's interests. Fundamentally, protectionist policies tend to invite retaliation, inflate costs, and constrain consumer choice over time. More targeted efforts addressing legitimate concerns through negotiation could achieve better outcomes for all sides while preserving the overall benefits of open trade and competition. I urge reconsideration of these sweeping auto tariffs in favor of a more measured approach that does not jeopardize economic prosperity or key international relationships.