One day after the tariffs took effect, news of the Dodge Ram price hike went viral. The president has decided to temporarily exempt vehicle manufacturers.
US President Donald Trump announced that he would temporarily spare carmakers from a newly imposed 25% import tax on vehicles from Canada and Mexico, just a day after the tariffs took effect.
Despite this decision, Trump continued to criticize Canada for what he claimed was inadequate action to stop the flow of drugs into the United States. “Nothing has convinced me that it has stopped,” Trump posted on social media after a call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the economic disruptions caused by the new trade tariffs.
The White House’s announcement of the temporary relief helped boost US stock markets, which had experienced two days of declines that erased the gains seen in the S&P 500 since the November presidential election.

Limited exemption for North American automakers
The exemption applies to cars manufactured in North America that comply with the continent’s existing free trade agreement. This agreement, negotiated by Trump during his first term, specifies the percentage of a car that must be produced in each country to qualify for duty-free treatment.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump granted the one-month exemption after appeals from major automakers Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, whose supply chains extend across North America.
Analysts at S&P Global Mobility had warned that the new tariffs could disrupt a third of North America’s auto production within a week. Following the exemption announcement, Ford’s stock rose over 5%, General Motors gained more than 7%, and Stellantis saw a more than 9% increase in US trading.
“The president is open to hearing about additional exemptions,” Leavitt added. “He always maintains an open dialogue and will always do what he believes is right for the American people.”
Fox: This Dodge Ram truck was $80,000. It instantly just became $100,000 under Trump’s tariff tax hike pic.twitter.com/Q3vOMKd9Ne
— FactPost (@factpostnews) March 4, 2025
Repercussions
Trade between the US, Canada, and Mexico involves goods worth billions of dollars daily, making their economies deeply interconnected. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce warned that while the exemption provided some relief, the broader tariffs would still harm affordability and business relationships.
Matthew Holmes, the chamber’s chief public policy officer, criticized the approach: “We’ve seen this movie before. President Trump imposes tariffs and then grants exemptions one by one. That is not how a long-lasting trade alliance is built.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated that the temporary exemption would not deter Canada from retaliating. Measures already taken include halting the sale of US liquor in the province. Meanwhile, Trump’s broader tariff strategy, including threats of “reciprocal” tariffs on other nations, has fueled fears of an escalating trade war.
Escalation with China and Additional Tariffs
Beyond North America, Trump also imposed new tariffs on Chinese imports, raising levies to at least 20%. In response, China enacted retaliatory tariffs on US exports, including agricultural products. Canada followed suit, introducing counter-tariffs on US goods such as peanut butter, oranges, and wine. Mexico also announced plans for reciprocal tariffs.
Farmers and business leaders in the US expressed concern over the economic impact of these tariffs. Bob Hemesath, president of Farmers for Free Trade, voiced uncertainty about the outcome: “I don’t know where we go with this and how it ends. I just hope that it ends quickly.”
Retailers warned of rising prices on everyday goods, including avocados, while economists predicted potential recessions in Mexico and Canada. Trump acknowledged that his policies might cause short-term economic hardship in the US but defended them as necessary to protect American industry and manufacturing.
Dodge Ram go viral
Trump linked the tariffs to his efforts to curb immigration and drug trafficking, specifically fentanyl, across the US borders. Following his conversation with Trudeau, Trump doubled down on his position. “He said that it’s gotten better, but I said, ‘That’s not good enough,'” Trump stated on social media.
Trudeau dismissed Trump’s claims as a “completely bogus” justification for imposing tariffs on Canada. US authorities reported seizing less than 50 pounds of fentanyl at the northern border last year.
Meanwhile, White House officials confirmed that Trump still plans to move forward on April 2 with further reciprocal tariffs targeting countries he perceives as engaging in unfair trade practices. “There are going to be tariffs—let’s be clear—but what he’s considering is which sectors might receive relief until we get to April 2,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg.
On March 4, 2025, Fox News reported a significant increase in the price of the Dodge Ram, one of the most popular vehicles in the US. The spike resulted from the newly imposed tariffs on imported products from Mexico and Canada, which raised production costs in the automotive sector. The news quickly went viral, sparking widespread debate and concern. Ultimately, in response to the backlash, Trump decided to reverse the tariffs, at least temporarily, easing tensions within the industry and among consumers.

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