US President Donald Trump announced his plans to impose a 50% tariff on imported copper, further escalating his administration's strategy to bolster domestic industries through tariffs, Fox Business reported July 8. This announcement, made at a Cabinet meeting, aligns with Trump's America First policy, which aims to enhance industrial supply chains by encouraging companies to procure materials from within the US. During the meeting, Trump highlighted that copper will join steel...

US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods imported from Japan and South Korea, effective Aug. 1, as the 90-day negotiation period offered in the first week of April comes to an end this week, the Associated Press (AP) reported July 8. Trump communicated this decision through letters posted on the social networking website Truth Social to the leaders of the respective countries, cautioning them against retaliatory measures that could lead to a further increase in tariffs...

Mainland Chinese automakers such as SAIC Motor, Changan, Great Wall Motor, BYD, Li Auto and Geely are set to launch models featuring 100% domestically produced chips, with at least two brands planning mass production by 2026, according to Nikkei Asia report on June 17. These models will include updated versions of existing lines, as part of mainland China's push for self-reliance in chip production. The initiative is overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), whic...

Marelli Holdings, a major auto parts supplier owned by private equity firm KKR, is considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US, according to a June 7 Reuters report. The report referenced Kyodo news agency as the source of the news, with Kyodo citing unnamed sources. Marelli is a key supplier for Nissan and Stellantis, and is exploring this option to ensure that its business operations continue uninterrupted, even if negotiations with creditors do not yield positive re...

The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (Comité de Liaison Européen des Fabricants d'Equipements et de Pièces Automobiles [CLEPA]) warned that mainland China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements (REEs) and magnets have caused a severe shortage of critical materials, shuttering several assembly lines and plant operations in Europe. “These restrictions have led to the shutdown of several production lines and plants across Europe, with further impacts expected in the comi...

US President Donald Trump has decided to further raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%, effective June 4. "We are going to be imposing a 25% increase. We're going to bring it from 25% to 50% — the tariffs on steel into the United States of America, which will even further secure the steel industry in the United States," Trump announced while speaking at a rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the US.  In February 2025, a few days after becoming the US ...

Toyota Motor is exploring the possibility of investing in a potential buyout of Toyota Industries, Reuters reported April 27. “We are currently exploring various possibilities, including partial investment,” the Japanese automaker confirmed in a regulatory filing with the Tokyo Stock Exchange on April 26. Meanwhile, a report from Bloomberg on April 25 said that Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor, and his founding family have proposed to acquire Toyota Industries for ¥6 trillion (...

US President Donald Trump’s administration has launched a formal investigation into semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME), and their derivative products imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, signaling potential new tariffs on chips amid growing concerns about US dependency on foreign suppliers, Reuters reported on April 15, citing Federal Register filings on April 14. The Federal Register filings indicated that the probe began April 1 and is ...

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to introduce a tariff rate on imported semiconductors within the coming week, indicating a shift from previously announced exemptions for smartphones and computers, according to a report published by Reuters on April 14. "We wanted to uncomplicate it from a lot of other companies, because we want to make our chips and semiconductors and other things in our country," Trump said, according to the report. Despite not providing specifics on potenti...

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has urged the European Commission to seek a constructive dialogue with the US on the imposed tariffs of automobile imports and certain automotive components, ACEA said in a statement on April 7. The industry lobby has also urged the commission to negotiate conditions for mutually beneficial trade with the US and avoid any countermeasures that could put Europe’s manufacturing competitiveness at risk amid widening global trade tensio...

On March 5, the European Commission rolled out an ‘Industrial Action Plan’ to define a framework that can help ramp up Europe’s research and development (R&D) and industrial capacities amid global transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). The Action Plan focuses on key technology areas such as battery and battery material supply chain, autonomous and connected car tech, software and hardware, charging infrastructure among several others. The Action Plan aims to further build on t...

In his first address to Congress in his second term, President Trump urged lawmakers to eliminate the CHIPS Act, stating that semiconductor companies are already investing in US manufacturing without government incentives. Trump pointed to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.'s (TSMC) newly announced $100 billion expansion in Arizona, which includes three semiconductor fabrication plants, two packaging facilities, and a research and development center, as an example of private-sector inve...

In a meeting with President Xi Jinping that centered on discussions with private sector entrepreneurs, Huawei's founder, Ren Zhengfei, conveyed that China's concerns over the absence of domestically produced chips and operating systems had been alleviated, according to a report by Reuters on Feb. 21, which cited Chinese state media People's Daily. The meeting, reported by the People's Daily, featured talks from prominent Chinese business founders including Ren Zhengfei of Huawei, Wang Chuanfu of...

On Feb. 10, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imported into the US without any exceptions or exemptions. The new tariffs will become effective from March 4, 2025. Steel and aluminum are the two most widely used raw materials in the production of a diverse range of products, from consumer appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines to cars and trucks. In vehicles, automakers use 900 to 1,400 kg of steel in the product...

In an effort to bolster domestic manufacturing of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and advance electric vehicle technology, the Indian government, under Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's announcement during the Budget 2025 speech, will extend basic customs duty (BCD) exemptions to 35 additional capital goods essential for producing EV batteries. These include crucial raw materials such as cobalt powder, waste cobalt, scrap from Li-ion batteries, lead, zinc and 12 other critical minerals. ...

Toyota Motor Europe has signed an agreement with Hydrogen Refueling Solutions (HRS) and global energy company ENGIE to roll out the next generation hydrogen refueling systems, the Japanese carmaker’s European unit announced Jan. 28. The newly developed hydrogen refueling solution will be piloted in an EU-funded RHeaDHy project that focuses on accelerating infrastructure deployment, the company said. The EU-funded RHeaDHy project stands for refueling heavy duty with very high flow hydroge...

The US Energy Department (DOE) has launched a new funding program for advanced vehicle research and development with an intent of promoting innovative transportation solutions for on- and off-road vehicles, the US DOE office announced Jan. 17. The new program has an outlay of up to $88 million and will cover fiscal year 2025 via DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO). The DOE's notice of funding opportunity states 10 focus areas that are expected to not only advance affordable and relia...

President Biden on Tuesday (Jan. 14) announced strong and decisive actions to safeguard the US connected vehicle supply chains against any potential security risks by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation (Russia). The White House, in a fact sheet titled "Safeguarding America from National Security Risks of Connected Vehicle Technology from China and Russia", said, “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that our automotive supply chains are res...

The European Commission has launched two new calls for proposals with a budget of €3.4 billion to accelerate the deployment of innovative decarbonization technologies in Europe, it said in a press note on Dec. 3. The calls for proposals also include electric vehicle batteries, an area critical for achieving net-zero ambitions even as the region continues to remain dependent on Greater China. The commission has also launched the second auction of the European Hydrogen Bank to accelerate the ...

Australia-based mining company Ioneer Ltd. has received its federal permit for developing the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada, US, from the Bureau of Land Management, the company announced Oct. 25. With the federal permit, the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada becomes the first US lithium project approved by the Biden administration, the company said, adding that the move will help in beginning the construction work in 2025, with first production expected in 2028. ...

The European Commission's proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) from mainland China has obtained the necessary support from EU Member States for the adoption of tariffs, the European Commission announced Oct. 4. The development marks a crucial step toward the conclusion of the European Commission's anti-subsidy investigation on made-in-China BEVs imported into the EU region. The commission now plans to publish its regulations, in...

The US Commerce Department issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Monday (Sept. 23) which, if approved, would ban sale or import of vehicles that incorporate connectivity technologies from countries of concern, specifically mainland China and Russia. The NPRM follows a process initiated by President Joe Biden in February and is based on public feedback to an earlier notice issued by the Commerce Department, which sought to address national security risks associated with certain technol...

Canada has decided to impose a 100% import duty on mainland China-built electric vehicles imported into the Canadian market, following the footsteps of the US and the EU. The new tariff will be applied in addition to the current import duty of 6.1% that is applicable on EVs produced in mainland China and imported into Canada. It will cover certain electric and hybrid passenger vehicles, trucks, buses and delivery vans. The new tariff will become effective from Oct. 1. Mainland China-made EVs ...

As part of its ongoing anti-subsidy investigation on electric vehicles imported from mainland China, the European Commission has now revised the duty rates based on the inputs received from interested parties on the provisional countervailing duties published earlier in July. In a note issued on Aug. 20, disclosing the revised tariffs to the Chinese vehicle manufacturers, the commission announced the revised countervailing duties mentioned below: a) BYD electric cars will attract a count...

The US Commerce Department has planned to introduce regulations aimed at restricting the use of Chinese software within autonomous and connected vehicles operating in the US, according to sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reported Aug. 5.  The proposed rule, expected to be announced by the Biden administration in the coming weeks, targets vehicles with Level 3 automation or higher. The intention is also to prevent Chinese companies from testing autonomous vehicles on US soil...

The Biden administration plans to award $1.7 billion in grants to General Motors (GM), Stellantis and others to convert existing plants to manufacture electric vehicles and components. The fund will be provided by the US Department of Energy under “Domestic Automotive Manufacturing Conversion Grants” to 11 “shuttered or at risk” plants in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland and Virginia. The grant aims to bolster the US auto industry's competitiveness, reta...

The European Commission’s new tariffs on made-in-China electric vehicles may slow down Chinese carmakers looking to grow sales in Europe, but would not stop leading players such as BYD from penetrating further and continuing to pose serious competition to local carmakers, according to a news report published by Nikkei Asia on June 13. Earlier on June 12, the European Commission announced that it plans to impose provisional countervailing duties on Chinese carmakers from July 4, if discussio...

The US state of Virginia plans to exit the California electric vehicle mandate as the current regulations expire by the end of 2024, according to a press note issued by the governor of Virginia on June 5. An official opinion from Attorney General Jason Miyares in response to a request by the Governor and Senate Republican Leader Ryan McDougle has confirmed that Virginia is not required to comply with expansive new mandates adopted by the unelected California Air Resources Board (CARB), set to...

Turkey plans to impose an additional tariff of 40% on vehicles imported from mainland China in order to protect its domestic automotive industry, according to a press release dated June 10. The move is also expected to prevent a potential worsening of its current account balance. The additional tariff will be set at a minimum of $7,000 per vehicle and will become effective from July 7. According to the Turkish Trade Ministry, if the 40% tariff calculated from the price of an imported vehicle ...

The US government has opened applications for a $1.3 billion funding opportunity for electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure in urban and rural communities and along designated highways, interstates, and major roadways, the US Joint Office of Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on May 30. The funding opportunity stems from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s signature EV charging investments, such as the $2.5 billion Char...

On May 29, US Representative Elissa Slotkin introduced a new bill that would limit or ban the introduction of connected vehicles produced by mainland Chinese automakers in the US. The Connected Vehicle National Review Act aims to establish a formal national security review for connected vehicles built by companies from mainland China or other countries of concern. It would allow the US Commerce Department to limit or ban the introduction of these vehicles in the US market if they pose a threat t...

Mainland China must raise temporary tariffs on imported cars to a maximum of 25%, a senior executive from a government-affiliated automotive research organization said in an interview with state-run media publication Global Times on May 21. Liu Bin, chief expert of China Automotive Technology and Research Center and deputy director of China Automotive Strategy and Policy Research Center, has called for raising the import duty to 25% on gasoline cars with engines larger than 2.5 liters, potent...

The UK's Automated Vehicles (AV) bill has received royal assent and the AV Act has become law, according to the UK government's official website on May 20. Transport Secretary Mark Harper expressed his optimism, stating that self-driving vehicles could be seen on Britain's roads within the next two years. Harper emphasized that the deployment of this technology will not only enhance safety but also provide a significant boost to the economy. The newly enacted legislation applies nationwide, a...

Mainland China has urged its domestic automakers, including BYD, Dongfeng, FAW, GAC and SAIC, to source up to a quarter of total chips locally, Nikkei Asia reported on May 16. Currently, these automakers meet around 10% of their total chip requirements locally. However, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology expects these automakers to increase the local procurement to 20% or 25% by next year. According to the business daily, the 20%-25% goal refers to both the number of ...

The US government plans more than $100 million in new funding for small and medium-sized automotive component manufacturers, aiding them in expanding and retooling their manufacturing facilities, the White House said in a press note issued on May 6. The announcement comes as US Vice President Kamala Harris is on a nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour to take stock of new investments in the US automotive industry. According to the press note, the new funding of over $100 million for small a...

The US Transportation Department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finalized a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that will make automatic emergency braking (AEB) standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029, according to a press statement dated April 29. The safety standard is expected to significantly reduce rear-end and pedestrian crashes. AEB systems can detect when a vehicle is about to crash and automatically apply the brakes. Pedes...

Japan and Europe have agreed to cooperate in establishing a circular economy for critical materials that are used in producing batteries. According to a news report published by Nikkei Asia on April 22, Japan's Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA), under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, plans to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with European counterparts on information sharing and mutual certification. The partnership between the two regions will focus on sharing ...

The Union Government of India has approved a new electric vehicle policy aimed at attracting global EV makers to invest in India (the world’s third-largest automobile market), build local manufacturing facilities and increase localization of critical components, according to a press note issued by the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry on March 15. The new scheme to accelerate investments in the emerging EV domain is aligned with the central government’s Make in India initiativ...

The European Union and the Kingdom of Norway have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch a strategic partnership to develop sustainable land-based raw materials and battery value chains, the European Commission announced in a press note March 21. The MoU between the EU and Norway is being seen an important building block of the EU-Norway Green Alliance, as announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre in April 2023...

In a press release on March 20, the US administration has announced that Intel and the US Commerce Department have signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) for up to $8.5 billion in direct funding to Intel for commercial semiconductor projects under the CHIPS and Science Act. The CHIPS Act funding aims to increase US semiconductor manufacturing and research and development capabilities, especially in leading-edge semiconductors. Intel is the only US company that both de...

The European Parliament has given a green light to the implementation of the stricter Euro 7 emission standards for passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers, the European Parliament announced March 14. The immediate next step includes a formal approval from the European Council before the Euro 7 emission standards enter into force. The Euro 7 norms are slated for implementation across Europe from July 1, 2025, for new light-duty vehicles and July 1, 2027, for new heavy-duty ve...

The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), which works as a bridge between the UK government and the automotive industry, has announced the latest round of government and industry funding for zero-tailpipe-emission vehicle technologies. In a press note issued on March 4, APC said that a government grant of £35.7 million will be granted to the new collaborative projects that bring together companies developing key zero-emission technologies, including power electronics and electric drive units (ED...

The US Energy Department (DOE) has earmarked government grants of over $17 million for three projects that aim to support the design and construction of facilities that produce rare earth elements, and other critical minerals and materials from coal-based resources, the DOE said in an announcement on Feb. 15. The selected projects, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are expected to strengthen domestic supply chains, helping to meet the growing demand for critical minerals and materi...