Jaguar Land Rover Halts US Shipments in Response to 25 Percent Auto Tariff

Automobiles are the UK’s largest goods export to the United States, according to official data.

The Jaguar Land Rover logo at a dealership in Milton Keynes, Britain, on June 1, 2020. Andrew Boyers/Reuters

British automaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a temporary pause in vehicle shipments to the United States, citing the need to reassess operations following the Trump administration’s newly implemented 25 percent tariff on vehicle imports.

“The USA is an important market for JLR’s luxury brands,” the company said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times. “As we work to address the new trading terms with our business partners, we are taking some short-term actions including a shipment pause in April, as we develop our mid-to-longer term plans.”

British carmakers, including Jaguar, exported $10.7 billion in vehicles to the U.S. market over the 12 months ending in September 2024—making automobiles the UK’s largest goods export to the United States, according to official data.

Jaguar’s announcement follows President Donald Trump’s sweeping trade measures unveiled last week, which included a 25 percent tariff on all auto imports and parts. In a subsequent April 2 address from the White House, the president declared an economic emergency and introduced a broader 10 percent tariff on nearly all imports, with elevated reciprocal tariffs for about 60 countries labeled “worst offenders” in trade imbalances with the United States. China topped that list.

The auto tariffs, which took effect on April 3, have already prompted industry-wide reactions.

Stellantis announced a production halt at two of its assembly plants in Canada and Mexico, triggering temporary layoffs at U.S. facilities in Indiana and Michigan.

“With the new automotive sector tariffs now in effect, it will take our collective resilience and discipline to push through this challenging time,” Stellantis North American Chief Operating Officer Antonio Filosa said in an email to employees that was shared with The Epoch Times. “These are actions that we do not take lightly, but they are necessary given the current market dynamics.”

Ford also responded swiftly, launching a promotional initiative on April 3 that offers employee pricing to all U.S. customers. The company described the move as a gesture of solidarity during a period of economic uncertainty.

“For 121 years, we’ve put our money where our mouth is, assembling vehicles that Americans rely on and supporting American jobs,” Ford said in a statement. “Today, we’re proud to announce a new U.S. initiative that’s more than just a promotion. It’s a handshake deal with every American.”

After Trump’s tariff announcement, major Wall Street equities indexes saw drops on April 3, with the selloff extending into April 4. On April 4, the S&P 500 was down 6 percent, the Dow Jones dropped by 5.5 percent, and the Nasdaq slid by 5.8 percent.

When asked about the selloff, Trump likened the economy to a patient undergoing surgery.

“I think it’s going very well. We have an operation, like when a patient gets operated on, and it’s a big thing. I said this would exactly be the way it is,” Trump told reporters outside the White House on April 3.

In a Truth Social post on April 5, Trump defended the tariffs and urged Americans to “hang tough,” characterizing the economic transition as a difficult but necessary step to correct what he described as decades of unfair trade practices.

The administration has said that the United States’ $1.2 trillion trade imbalance in the previous year highlights the urgency of a structural shift in trade flows.