
MEMA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ana Meuwissen offered her organization's best assessment for how President-elect Trump will implement tariffs and alter regulatory policy during a roundtable call with industry media on Tuesday.
Meuwissen says there's no doubt "trade will be top of the agenda" for Trump, but says MEMA and industry alike remain unsure as to exactly what to expect from the president when he returns to the Oval Office for the first time in four years next Monday.
"We expect tariff action," she says. "The big question is how are these tariffs going to be enacted?"
Meuwissen says Trump has a lot of power to enact tariffs as he sees fit, due to Congress ceding powers around importing and trade over many years. She says the president can choose from four possible timelines — using emergency powers to enact tariffs almost immediately being the fastest, and relying on government agencies to research trade practices and develop specific tariffs to address market inequality being the most cautious. Meuwissen says Trump has appeared to lean more toward the former than the latter but says until he in charge, its hard to know exactly what to expect.
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She says MEMA is actively following trade discussions and will do its part to "make sure our members fully understand all new directives."
Meuwissen and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers President Paul McCarthy also note if Trump follows through with some of his most publicized tariff plans — 10% on all goods from China, 25% on items from Canada and Mexico — the latter will almost assuredly have a larger impact on not only price but commercial vehicle manufacturer operations and investment.
Meuwissen says many of the Section 301 tariffs Trump levied on China in his first administration remain in effect; some were even increased in select categories by President Biden. Conversely, McCarthy cites a growing number of vendors in the automotive and heavy-duty spaces who reduced their reliance on China during Trump's prior term and committed to nearshoring. He says those businesses would be impacted again by actions against Canada and Mexico.
Meuwissen also used Tuesday's to comment on MEMA's continued support for the REPAIR Act, and the potential for major regulatory action. Regarding the REPAIR Act, she says MEMA is working with the bill's co-sponsors to re-introduce it into Congress as soon as possible and try to capitalize on the progress the bill made in the last Congress. Meuwissen also notes MEMA hopes to engage with all new legislators to bring even more support to the right to repair movement.
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As for regulations, MEMA's entire team was unable to comment on what happens next. Meuwissen acknowledges President-elect Trump has spoken out against aggressive regulation in the vehicle industry, and his administration did roll back some regulations during its first term. But whether or not Trump returns to office with the same tenacity regarding regulations is unknown, MEMA experts say. EPA Phase 2 regulations were not shelved during Trump's first term, nor was California's regulatory autonomy.
"Nothing is out of the realm of possibility right now," Meuwissen says.
MEMA's call Tuesday also included updates on next week's Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue and Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week events, the continued expansion of its sustainability programs and other areas where the organization intends to prioritize its efforts in the months ahead. MEMA will continue to publicize those continued efforts in the months ahead.