As of early March 2026 (with the current date around March 4 in Kenya), the U.S. trade landscape under President Trump has shifted dramatically again. Following a February 20, 2026, U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down broad "reciprocal" tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as overreach, the administration quickly pivoted. On February 20, Trump signed a proclamation imposing a new ** temporary 10% ad valorem import duty ** on most goods entering the U.S. under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 (to address balance-of-payments issues ). He then announced an increase to **15%**, with the hike taking effect this week—creating immediate global ripples. The big automotive news? Passenger vehicles, light trucks, certain medium/heavy-duty vehicles, buses, and many related parts were explicitly **exempted** from this new 15% global tariff (along with USMCA -compliant goods from Canada/Mexico). This spared direct hits on finished cars...
15% Trump Global Tariff Hits This Week: Why Autos Got a Partial Exemption But Kenyan Importers Still Face 2026 Price Hikes
As of early March 2026 (with the current date around March 4 in Kenya), the U.S. trade landscape under President Trump has shifted dramatically again. Following a February 20, 2026, U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down broad "reciprocal" tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as overreach, the administration quickly pivoted. On February 20, Trump signed a proclamation imposing a new ** temporary 10% ad valorem import duty ** on most goods entering the U.S. under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 (to address balance-of-payments issues ). He then announced an increase to **15%**, with the hike taking effect this week—creating immediate global ripples. The big automotive news? Passenger vehicles, light trucks, certain medium/heavy-duty vehicles, buses, and many related parts were explicitly **exempted** from this new 15% global tariff (along with USMCA -compliant goods from Canada/Mexico). This spared direct hits on finished cars...