President defends 25% tariffs on EU cars, says U.S. auto plants are booming

The President told reporters the United States raised tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25% because, he said, the EU was "not adhering to the trade deal we have." He said the move was intended to accelerate factory investment in the United States, arguing that when plants open "there won't be any tariffs" and that raising tariffs creates an incentive to move production.

"We have right now in the United States over a hundred billion dollars of car plants being built," the President said, naming Japan, South Korea and Canada among countries investing in U.S. facilities. He framed the policy as protecting American jobs while forcing faster plant construction by foreign manufacturers.

The President's remarks combined a trade-policy defense with economic boosterism; he characterized the policy as a win for U.S. production but did not provide supporting documentation in the briefing. Reporters asked follow-up questions on enforcement and what the administration considered compliance with the trade deal; the President reiterated his position but offered no detailed timetable.

No new regulation or statutory citation was announced at the briefing.