Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and other auto stocks in focus as Trump’s slaps 25% tariff on heavy-duty trucks

India’s auto stocks, including Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and Mahindra & Mahindra, are likely to be in focus on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% levy on heavy-duty trucks, a move that reignited global trade tensions and sent ripples through automotive markets worldwide.

Trump on Thursday unveiled a sweeping set of tariffs targeting a wide range of imported goods, including 100% duties on branded drugs and 25% tariffs on heavy-duty trucks, set to take effect from October 1. The announcement, made on his social media platform Truth Social, also imposed a 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities and a 30% levy on upholstered furniture.

“The reason for this is the large scale ‘FLOODING’ of these products into the United States by other outside Countries,” Trump said on Truth Social, justifying the household goods tariffs.


The U.S. president added that the heavy-duty truck tariffs were intended to protect domestic manufacturers from “unfair outside competition,” noting that the move would benefit companies such as Paccar-owned Peterbilt and Kenworth and Daimler Truck-owned Freightliner.

Global trade concerns resurface

The latest tariff round underscores Trump’s continued reliance on trade barriers during his second term, with duties ranging from 10% to 50% on trading partners and targeted levies on various product categories.

The announcement did not clarify whether the new tariffs would be layered on top of existing national duties or whether key U.S. allies such as the European Union and Japan might be exempted.

The Nifty Auto index had ended 0.9% lower on Thursday before the tariff news broke.

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