Hyundai Alabama

President Donald Trump said on Friday that he will increase the tariffs charged on cars and trucks from the European Union next week to 25%, a move that could jolt the world economy at a fragile moment. Trump said in a social media post that the EU “is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal,” though he did not flesh out his objections in the post. The impact on Mercedes Benz, for example, may be good for Alabama, or not.

The system to reimburse business who paid illegal tariffs imposed by President Trump went online this week. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in February that the White House overstepped its authority by imposing the fees on imported goods. Here in Alabama, automotive and aviation companies may benefit the most by pursuing refunds.

A recent raid by ICE raid agents who rounded up South Korean workers in Georgia could have economic impact in Alabama, and also raise political issues in the Peach State. Namely, Georgia Brian Kemp be tough on immigration and still encourage foreign investment? The detentions sparked questions in South Korea about its relationship with the United States, especially when Hyundai and its partners, including in Alabama.

Today’s the day Donald Trump says he will hike tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum by up to fifty percent. Alabama reportedly imported eight millon tons of steel last year.

Alabama reportedly imported over eight million “short tons” of steel in 2024. The raw material was used, among other things, for the six hundred thousand automobiles produced by Alabama’s Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai factories. Now, Donald Trump told Pennsylvania steelworkers he's doubling the tariff on steel imports to 50%

White House negotiators are talking with Europe over tariffs on Aluminum and steel. And postponed tariffs against Canada and Mexico could expire as soon as next week. Officials at the Port of Mobile are watching all this activity. The State says the port generates close to one hundred million dollars a year in revenue.

The United Auto Workers accused Mercedes of interfering in a union election at two Alabama factories by intimidating and coercing workers into voting no. A week after Mercedes workers voted against joining the union, the labor group filed an objection with the National Labor Relations Board.

The United Auto Workers union announced it reached a last-minute tentative agreement with truck and bus manufacturer Daimler Truck, averting a potential strike of more than 7,000 workers. Tuscaloosa's Mercedes Benz plant is within days of its own vote on unionization.

On the eve of a vote on union representation at Volkswagen's Tennessee factory, Governor Bill Lee and five other southern governors are telling workers that voting for a union will put jobs in jeopardy. Republican Kay Ivey of Alabama signed onto that statement.

Volkswagen's factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is likely to be the first test of the United Auto Workers' effort to organize nonunion automobile plants across the nation. This follows moves at Hyundai and Mercedes Benz plants in Alabama toward organizing.