BBC News, Washington
For two years, Jani Dillard has saved what she can with her fixed income to replace the vehicle stolen from her home and found it a few miles away.
She examined the car dealership of used cars in Virginia on Thursday, peering into the prices of stickers with newly discovered concerns: tariffs for a blanket for foreign cars and car parts that experts warn can increase prices in the US. They kick next week.
She would like to buy a car now, she said, but: “I have to wait until my funding has improved.”
Daja Dillard is one of the many Americans who are confronted with the expected economic turbulences at President Donald Trump's automotive tariffs – an unprecedented trade policy maneuver.
“It took me a long time to save on the last car,” she said. “If the prices get too high, I obviously won't buy something I can't afford.”
“We'll just have to wait and see.”
On Wednesday, Trump announced new taxes on 25% imports for cars and car parts that enter the United States from abroad that enter into force on April 2.
Fees for vehicles imported are expected on April 3, and parts taxes should start in May or later.
Trump and members of his administration claim that tariffs will lead to “huge growth” and increase jobs in the United States.
But car experts and manufacturers have warned a terrible regard that tariffs can raise prices for US consumers, gaining the stress of an already slow economy.
Mohamad Husseini, a co -owner of used vehicles in Maryland, said it expects the additional tariff expenses to be transferred to the user.
“The prices in the wholesale market have already jumped,” he told the BBC.
“It will get worse.”
A car that would sell for $ 13,000 (£ 10,000) can grow to $ 14,500 (£ 11,200) due to tariffs, said G -n Husseini. He predicts that consumers will see prices increase over the next three to six weeks.
Motor tariffs are likely to force car dealers such as Husseini to raise prices.
“We all still have payment bills, meals and employees to pay,” he said.
In another car dealership, Robin Sloan hoped to make a deal before prices would increase.
She said she would probably wait until the summer to shop by car, but “with the rates, I decided I had to go out and look now.”
She rejected the Trump administration's claim that tariffs would make Americans buy us cars instead of foreign ones.
“I don't think I would buy a car made in the United States just because of the tariffs. I think I would probably wait a few years until things settle,” she explained.
From car buyers to car dealers, the effects of tariffs will be widespread, for better or better, experts say.
There are 908 motor vehicles per 1000 people in the United States. About 92% of households own a vehicle.
Car ownership is usually higher in the United States than in Europe, according to studies, partly because in the absence of extensive public transport systems, many Americans have no choice at how to get around.
They are also more than a simple vehicle. As symbols of both freedom and success, cars have a unique place in national identity, from the Pimp My Ride show to Janice Joplin, singing “Oh, Lord, will you not buy me Mercedes benz.”
John Heitman, a professor at the University of Dayton and a car historian who in his spare time has loved to polish his Mercedes SL since 1982, said tariffs would have existential as well as economic impact.
“New cars are really out of reach of a large number of Americans to start with,” he told the BBC. “Consumers will not take advantage, prices will rise,” especially among more accessible vehicles produced in Korea, such as Hyundais, “he said.
As a vintage car enthusiast, he said the rates added a layer of uncertainty to his hobby.
“About 50 minutes ago, I received an email from a UK provider, which says,” Don't worry … They won't rise, probably, “he said.
“” We haven't seen anything in writing yet. “That's what they said.”
Imports from higher-end vehicles, such as Audis, BMWS and Mercedes, will also increase the price, said Mr Heitmann, although many of those who buy from such brands may be able to make the price price of Heftier.
A 2024. A study by the US International Trade Commission It predicts that 25%import tariff will reduce imports by almost 75%, while increasing average prices in the United States by about 5%.
The United States imported about eight million cars last year – representing about $ 240 billion (£ 186 billion) in trade and approximately half of the total sales.
Despite the efforts of some car manufacturers – including Ford and General Motors – to prevent Trump from executing authors, the president is coming ahead.
However, some car manufacturers accept Trump's rates.
On Tuesday, Hyundai, the South Korean car marker, announced that it would invest $ 21 billion (£ 16.3 billion) in the United States by building a new steel plant in Louisiana.
Trump said this move was “a clear demonstration that tariffs are working very hard”.
But tariffs are likely to affect home cars. American car production has been deeply intertwined with industries in Canada and Mexico for decades. The Parts of Crissy-Cross borders several times before being assembled, which means that even a vehicle so American as a Ford pickup can see an increase in the price of the sticker.
In the end, Trump's tariff strategy will throw the automotive industry into an unexplored territory, leaving the uncertainty to hang over consumers, dealers and car manufacturers until they come into force on Wednesday.
“Everything is TourSy Turvy now.
Some, like Mya Fountain Bunch, just want to go through anxiety. She took her car to a dealer this week to avoid the need to replace the tariffs.
“(I) I make sure that my car is working and I hope I will not have to buy another car in the next few years, or at least for the next four years, until this administration is carried out.”
Meiying WU contributed to this report.