To understand why auto tariffs have become one of the thorniest issues in the Trump administration’s trade negotiations with key partners, just look at how much these economies rely on auto exports to the US, The Asia Group writes in a report for the Hinrich Foundation. Autos and auto parts accounted for about one-third of Japan and Korea’s exports to the US last year. For Germany, the share was nearly 20%.
As countries around the world try to break China’s chokehold on the rare earth sector, what might result is a rare-earth production model that resembles the defense industry, with tight controls, restricted tech flows, and more domestic or allied production, Naoise McDonagh discusses in a podcast with Adam Creighton.
Why auto tariffs are the hardest part of trade negotiations
Tatsuya Sugiyama
Brandy Darling
Yuka Hayashi
22 July 2025
To understand why auto tariffs have become one of the thorniest issues in the Trump administration’s trade negotiations with key partners, just look at how much these economies rely on auto exports to the US. Autos and auto parts accounted for about one-third of Japan and Korea’s exports to the US last year. For Germany, the share was nearly 20%. The Asia Group’s Tatsuya Sugiyama and Yuka Hayashi and Raytheon's Brandy Darling break down the sales markets and tariff impact for the world’s major automakers in a report for the Hinrich Foundation.
Why rare earths are a critical test of redrawing supply chains
Naoise McDonagh
AFPC-USA
22 July 2025
As other parts of the world prepare to challenge China’s chokehold on the rare earth sector, key countries are already working to decouple from China in strategic sectors. What might result is a rare-earth production model that resembles the defense industry, with tight controls, restricted flows of technology and expertise, and domestic or allied production, Naoise McDonagh of Edith Cowan University says in a podcast with Adam Creighton, chief economist of the Institute of Public Affairs, courtesy of the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents-USA.
Catch up on the latest state of play in US tariff and trade policy with the Hinrich Foundation’s Head of Trade Policy Deborah Elms, the Washington Post’s David Lynch, former Deputy USTR Dennis Shea, and Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel at the Liberty Justice Center. This webinar was produced in partnership between the National Press Foundation and the Hinrich Foundation.
On 9 July, US President Trump announced 50% sectoral tariffs on copper imports, citing national security concerns. The decision has unsettled global copper markets and spotlighted vulnerabilities in international supply chains. The May edition of the UNCTAD Global Trade Update provides key insights into the structure of the global copper supply chain, trade flows, evolving market dynamics, and potential policy responses. Explore our analysis of the report.
.png?upscale=true&width=88&height=88&upscale=true&name=AFPC-USA%20logo-modified%20(1).png){kind=small}
