The U.S. Department of Commerce has launched a new national security investigation into imports of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and related parts, a move that could lead to sweeping tariffs across the commercial vehicle sector. The Section 232 probe will assess whether the country’s growing reliance on foreign-built work trucks, vans, and buses poses a threat to national security, echoing similar investigations that led to major tariff actions in other parts of the auto industry.
At the center of the investigation is the potential for new import taxes that could significantly impact countries such as Mexico, Canada, and Japan. Mexico, in particular, stands to face the greatest disruption. As the top exporter of commercial trucks to the U.S., Mexico has seen its exports in this segment triple since 2019. The country is also home to 14 major truck and bus manufacturers and two engine makers, and currently exports 95% of its tractor-trucks to the United States.
The Department of Commerce has opened a public comment period through mid-May, inviting feedback on whether domestic production of trucks and parts is sufficient to meet U.S. demand. Officials are also asking for input on the degree of import concentration, foreign overproduction, and the potential for unfair trade practices that may distort the U.S. market.
This latest move follows President Trump’s 25% tariffs on light-duty vehicle imports earlier this month. Tariffs on auto parts are expected to follow no later than May 3, prompting strong pushback from the automotive industry, which has warned of rising costs and disruption to vehicle supply chains.
If implemented, tariffs on commercial vehicles could introduce new pressure on transportation costs at a time when the administration has made reducing inflation, particularly on consumer goods, a top priority. Higher vehicle costs could ripple through supply networks, impacting logistics, small businesses, and manufacturers who depend on affordable commercial fleets.
Major global automakers could also be affected. Stellantis, which manufactures heavy-duty Ram trucks and commercial vans in Mexico, may face increased production costs. Meanwhile, Volvo Group is investing $700 million into a new heavy-truck plant in Monterrey, Mexico, scheduled to open in 2026, which could also come under scrutiny.
The probe adds another layer of uncertainty to North American automotive trade as manufacturers weigh cost increases, regulatory shifts, and long-term strategic decisions on where to build and source vehicles.
