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The Trump administration is considering imposing a 25 percent tariff on imports of automobiles and auto parts, ostensibly to protect the domestic U.S. auto industry and manufacturing base. But increased imports of autos and auto parts doesn’t actually correlate to a decline in U.S. auto manufacturing jobs or auto dealership jobs. In fact, over the past decade, U.S. jobs in both of those parts of the auto sector have grown while imports of autos and auto parts have expanded.

U.S. Jobs: Manufacturing and Deals, Autos and Parts, Thousands, Seasonally Adjusted
Year Manufacturing Jobs Dealer Jobs Total Auto Jobs
2007 994.2083 1908.508 2902.7
2008 875.5417 1830.442 2706
2009 664.2333 1637.383 2301
2010 678.325 1629.708 2308
2011 717.8583 1691.242 2409.1
2012 777.3333 1737.333 2514.7
2013 824.9 1793.483 2618.4
2014 871.9833 1862.075 2734.1
2015 913.5333 1928.933 2842.5
2016 944.1833 1979.633 2923.8
2017 952.525 2008.408 2960.9
Data: Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics


U.S. Auto Trade Balance, Millions USD
2007 -104,198
2008 -80,686
2009 -55,566
2010 -82,408
2011 -80,918
2012 -104,757
2013 -113,752
2014 -124,532
2015 -150,264
2016 -154,763
2017 -158,182
Data: U.S. Census Bureau. Data covers HTS 8701, 8702, 8703, 8704, 8705, 8708.

Notes

For more on the potential auto tariffs and its potential impact on the industry, check out this episode of the Trade Guys podcast with special guest Cody Lusk, who is the president and CEO of the American International Automobile Dealers Association.