The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on Wednesday (April 23) that a national security investigation into the import of medium and heavy-duty commercial trucks and their components will be conducted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. The purpose of this investigation is to assess whether these imports weaken the security and industrial base of the United States, potentially paving the way for future tariffs.
This investigation covers medium and heavy vehicles with a total weight exceeding 10,000 pounds, including work trucks, buses, vans, and other large vehicle types, as well as key components like engines, transmissions, power systems, and electronic equipment.
The investigation is led by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the Department of Commerce and has sought public input from industries, stakeholders, and the general public, with a submission deadline in mid-May.
Key concerns for the U.S. government include assessing domestic production capacity, dependency on imports from a few countries, and whether foreign subsidies and unfair trade practices distort prices in the U.S. market. The U.S. emphasized that if imported goods involve issues such as “overcapacity” in state-owned enterprises, it could weaken U.S. industrial competitiveness and jeopardize national security.
This investigation comes as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to bring manufacturing back to the homeland. Earlier this month, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imported light vehicles and plans to levy the same rate on imported auto parts by May 3. Despite calls from the automotive industry this week to withdraw this plan, the government insists that this step will help reduce external dependencies and safeguard the security of domestic supply chains.
The impact of this investigation is particularly significant for Mexico. According to official U.S. data, Mexico is the largest source of commercial truck imports for the U.S., with exports tripling since 2019, of which about 95% of tractor trucks are sold to the U.S. Canada and Japan are also major suppliers, and if new tariffs are imposed in the future, both bilateral trade and cross-border supply chains will face pressure.
Foreign manufacturers affected by the investigation include Daimler Trucks, Swedish Volvo, and Traton Group under Volkswagen. Volvo is currently investing $700 million in building a heavy truck factory in Mexico expected to start production in 2026, but its future operations may now face uncertainty.
Domestic U.S. companies may also be impacted, with Stellantis currently producing RAM heavy trucks and commercial vans in Mexico. If tariffs increase, leading to higher logistics and transportation costs, it could further push up consumer prices.
While the policy direction remains unclear, this investigation reflects the U.S. government’s strengthening scrutiny of critical import products and prioritizing industrial security. As the investigation progresses, the global automotive industry and supply chains may face new pressures for adjustment.
(Credit: This article is referenced from relevant reports by Reuters)