The U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated a national security investigation into imports of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and related parts that could ultimately lead to new tariffs or other import restrictions.

Launched on April 22 by Commerce Secretary Lutnick, the investigation will examine whether truck imports threaten U.S. national security and affects all trucks over 10,000 pounds along with their components. The Secretary cites authority under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the President to impose tariffs or take other actions if they are determined to threaten national security.

The Department has opened a 21-day public comment period ending May 16, seeking input on several key issues including: current and projected U.S. demand for trucks and parts, domestic production capacity, dependency on foreign supply chains, and concentration risks from limited suppliers. The inquiry will also examine impacts of related subsidies and trade practices by foreign governments.

This investigation follows President Trump's earlier imposition of 25% tariffs on light-duty vehicles and planned tariffs on imported auto parts. Mexico, as the largest exporter of medium- and heavy-duty trucks to the United States, could be significantly impacted by any resulting trade measures. Canada and Japan are also major exporters to the U.S. market. NEFI has contacted some stakeholders for feedback on potential impacts.

Industry stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments via the Federal Register (Docket No. BIS-2025-0024) by the May 16 deadline.

For more information or to share feedback on this matter, please contact NEFI President & CEO Jim Collura at jim.collura@nefi.com.