WASHINGTON — The Big Three automakers were able to secure a month-long tariff exemption on Wednesday after a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump — but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrapped a call to the Oval Office with no such guarantees for Canada.
Trump has granted a one-month exemption for any vehicles coming through the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, also known as CUSMA.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing Wednesday afternoon that the move comes after the automakers — Stellantis, Ford and General Motors — asked for help.
"Reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2, but at the request of the companies associated with (CUSMA), the president is giving them an exemption for one month so they are not at an economic disadvantage," Leavitt said, reading from a statement by Trump.