Asian automotive shares continued their downward trend Thursday, marking a second straight day of losses after former U.S. President Donald Trump signaled plans to impose steep tariffs on imported vehicles. Companies such as Nissan, Isuzu, and Great Wall Motor all saw declines as traders priced in the risk of reduced access to the U.S. market.
Trump, a vocal advocate for trade protectionism, has suggested tariffs exceeding 50% on foreign cars—a move that analysts say could escalate global trade tensions. “This isn’t just about autos; it’s about the broader risk to international trade flows,” warned a strategist at CLSA.
The sell-off pushed the MSCI Asia Autos Index down by 2.4%, its worst two-day performance since January. Investors are now closely watching for further policy signals that could shape the industry’s future.
