• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

The heiress of $10 billion Perdue Farms and the $12 billion Sheraton Hotels empire wore hand-me-downs, still rides the subway, and flies economy

2

31-year-old millionaire has zero sympathy for unemployed Gen Z's ‘excuses’—he says 'it is scarily easy' to build a business and get rich right now

3

Current price of oil as of September 1, 2026

1

The heiress of $10 billion Perdue Farms and the $12 billion Sheraton Hotels empire wore hand-me-downs, still rides the subway, and flies economy

2

31-year-old millionaire has zero sympathy for unemployed Gen Z's ‘excuses’—he says 'it is scarily easy' to build a business and get rich right now

3

Current price of oil as of September 1, 2026

U.S. Trade Policies Are Putting a Dent in Car Sales

By
Hallie Detrick
Hallie Detrick
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Hallie Detrick
Hallie Detrick
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 28, 2018, 9:51 AM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

For the first time since the global financial crisis, car sales are experiencing a sustained slowdown.

In the last eight years, car sales have grown by an average of 5% per year, but in 2018 that rate is expected to slow to a mere 1.8% over 2017. The Wall Street Journal attributed the shift to global uncertainty over Trump’s trade policies, which are undermining consumer confidence, raising prices on raw materials, and creating new barriers to the import and export of vehicles.

It’s a bad time for sales to be down. Softening demand in Europe and China and flat demand in the U.S. comes as the Trump administration’s new tariffs have led to higher prices on steel and aluminum and car manufacturers are grappling with higher emissions standards in Europe and China. Those adjustments are costing companies tons of money as they invest in R&D and adapt to the market.

But there may still be time to save the car market from an all-out decline. Trump’s announcement of a new trade deal with Mexico on Monday may be a sign that the administration is starting to resolve trade disputes and re-introduce certainty and lower trade barriers into the market. However, an escalation of tariffs in China and Europe along the lines Trump has promised could send the market plummeting.

About the Author
By Hallie Detrick
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.