U.S. slaps 25% tariff on heavy trucks, shaking Mexico’s $15B export industry

A new 25% U.S. tariff on medium- and heavy-duty trucks, set to take effect Nov. 1 under Section 232 of the national security law, is sending ripples through the North American supply chain — and could hit Mexico, Texas, and the border’s freight corridor hardest.

The measure, which covers vehicles from delivery trucks to tractor-trailers and buses, adds to a growing list of tariffs already applied to steel, aluminum, and auto parts. Analysts warn the move could drive up logistics costs and reshape sourcing strategies for cross-border manufacturers.

According to Adrián González, director of Global Alliance Solutions, Mexico supplies about 70% of the United States’ imported heavy-duty trucks, valued at roughly $15 billion in exports each year.

Although the USMCA grants duty-free access when regional-content rules are met, the use of Section 232 could override those preferences, creating operational and financial uncertainty for importers and manufacturers on both sides of the border.