“I Couldn’t Care Less If They Raise Prices”: Trump Denies Asking Automakers Not To Raise Prices Over Tariffs

President Donald Trump was bold and unapologetic in defense of his tariff strategy in a Saturday phone interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker, casting aside concerns about rising car prices and framing them as a linchpin in his mission to revive American manufacturing.

Far from pressuring automakers to shield consumers from the fallout of his newly imposed 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and parts, Trump embraced the prospect of higher costs with relish—a stance that has ignited fierce debate and cast a shadow of uncertainty over the U.S. economy.

Asked by Welker whether he had urged auto industry CEOs to hold the line on prices after the tariffs take effect, Trump was unequivocal in his denial.

“No, I never said that,” he told her. “I couldn’t care less if they raise prices, because people are going to start buying American cars.” He doubled down moments later, adding, “I couldn’t care less. I hope they raise their prices, because if they do, people are gonna buy American-made cars. We have plenty.”

The remarks sharply contradict a Wall Street Journal report from Thursday, which alleged Trump had held a call with auto CEOs earlier this month, threatening even steeper tariffs if they dared pass the costs of his import taxes onto consumers. On Saturday, he waved off such claims, steering the narrative toward his broader vision.

That vision, Trump explained, hinges on a blunt message to the auto industry: bring production home or face the consequences.

“The message is: ‘Congratulations, if you make your car in the United States, you’re going to make a lot of money. If you don’t, you’re going to have to probably come to the United States, because if you make your car in the United States, there is no tariff,’” he told Welker.

The tariffs, set to hit on Thursday, dismantle decades of free trade harmony in North America, where the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have long operated as a seamless economic bloc. Foreign and domestic automakers assemble many vehicles and parts stateside, but they also rely heavily on factories in Mexico and Canada—a dynamic Trump aims to upend.

Yet the road to that goal is fraught with obstacles. Shifting production to the U.S. demands billions in investment—new plants, retooled supply chains, and a freshly trained workforce—while Trump’s erratic tariff track record leaves CEOs wary of long-term commitments. Seeking to dispel those doubts, Trump insisted his broader reciprocal tariff plan, matching foreign import taxes dollar-for-dollar across a range of goods, is here to stay.

“Absolutely, they’re permanent, sure,” he declared, railing against what he called a 40-year global “rip-off” of the United States. “The world has been ripping off the United States for the last 40 years and more.”

Still, the consummate dealmaker left room for flexibility, adding, “I would negotiate the tariffs down only if people are willing to give us something of great value. Because countries have things of great value. Otherwise, there’s no room for negotiation.”

The economic stakes are staggering. Auto industry analysts predict the tariffs will inflate production costs across the board, tacking on thousands of dollars to every vehicle sold in the U.S.—whether imported or built domestically. The impacts are expected to be immense: automakers may throttle production as they gauge the tariffs’ staying power, while higher prices risk alienating cost-sensitive buyers, shrinking demand. A supply-and-demand imbalance could drive vehicle prices even higher, squeezing American consumers already grappling with inflation. Beyond autos, Trump’s reciprocal tariffs—slated to launch Wednesday—threaten to raise costs on a slew of imported goods, potentially fueling broader price increases and stoking inflationary pressures.

The fallout may not stop at U.S. borders. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney fired a salvo on Friday, warning Trump that Canada would retaliate with its own tariffs if the U.S. follows through—a move that could spiral into a bruising trade war across North America. Trump, unfazed, refused to blink.

“They go into effect Wednesday,” he said of his levies, though he teased the possibility of a deal—after the tariffs bite. The standoff underscores the high-wire act Trump is playing: a bet that economic pain now will yield a manufacturing renaissance later.

For the U.S. economy, the tariffs pose a dilemma. Many believe the tariffs could spark a wave of factory openings and job growth, bolstering American workers and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains—a cornerstone of Trump’s “America First” ethos. However, others, including industry analysts, warn of a darker scenario: disrupted trade flows, higher costs for businesses and consumers, and a potential drag on GDP if retaliatory measures escalate.

Automakers, caught in the crosshairs, face an agonizing choice—absorb the tariffs and bleed profits, or raise prices and risk losing market share.