U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on car imports. How would such a move help U.S. car buyers?

How would such a move help U.S. car buyers?

It wouldn't, which makes this an odd question.

Seems to me it's part of a NAFTA trade negotiating tactic.

Tariffs are not designed to help consumers; they are designed to help producers.

Japan's auto industry developed and quickly advanced while behind a 40% tariff, as does China's now and also the US pickup truck segment, both of which are protected by a 25% tariff. Success stories, all.

The issue is about protecting a key industry punished by a distorted global trade arrangement. A society needs to sacrifice short term pain for long-term benefits, in such circumstances.

When Japan was initiating 40% tariff on cars in the 50's and 60's the most imported cars were from the US.

When Japan's auto industry shifted gears starting to export cars in the early 70's it was down to 6.4% and was completely abolished to 0% in 1978.

Basically anytime before Japanese car became popular in the US.

The part that I would love for a supporter to explain to me is how this helps. Choices help consumers, period. The tariff is being imposed as a punitive measure, for both the car makers and consumers that choose to buy from them.

i have had Japanese cars, German cars and American cars. There are good and bad in them all. Competition is good, it forces companies to raise the bar. This is an artificial way to push one company over the other. The sad part is so many don’t seem to realize it.

Strangely worded question!

I think that if the trade imbalance is corrected, this will benefit the USA and create more jobs. This in turn will benefit the American consumer when he/she wants to buy a new car.

I am sure that the USA will be very fair and exempt countries which do not have a trade deficit, or countries that are making an effort to correct the deficit by reducing/ removing tariffs and/or importing more American cars and other products.

With a new CPTPP in place with 11 nations, the Ocean's 11 trade pact has more possibilities for everyone including Japan to make up for USA intransigence. Also good practice for Japan to ween off USA coattails

Japan's auto industry developed and quickly advanced while behind a 40% tariff, as does China's now and also the US pickup truck segment, both of which are protected by a 25% tariff. Success stories, all.

The issue is about protecting a key industry punished by a distorted global trade arrangement. A society needs to sacrifice short term pain for long-term benefits, in such circumstances.

Agree 100%, but the unfair trade practices are coming from China and Japan, so the tariffs should be levied there, and only there, in my opinion.