President Donald Trump's self-imposed July 9 deadline to strike new deals with international trade partners has passed, with new developments for American businesses to be aware of. These include new tariffs effective starting in August for several countries unless they reach a trade agreement with the United States in July. Here's the latest: 

Deadline Passes, with Extension: On July 7, the President issued an Executive Order, "EXTENDING THE MODIFICATION OF THE RECIPROCAL TARIFF AGREEMENTS," which moved the tariff compliance deadline from July 9 to August 1, giving countries additional time to negotiate new reciprocal tariff agreements with the United States or face increased tariffs (currently 10% for most countries).   

• According to President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, there will be no further extensions for international trading partners.  
   

Tariff rates to increase for Eurpoean Union (EU), Canada and Mexico exports to the U.S.: President Trump recently levied increased tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the European Union. Canadian imports will be subject to 35% tariffs (goods covered by USMCA will continue to be exempt from tariffs) while imports from Mexico and the EU will  face 30% duties starting on August 1. In an interview, President Trump floated 15%-20% tariffs on trading partners that are not covered by higher country-by-country tariffs, which would represent an increase from the 10% tariffs currently in place.  

Tariff Letters Issued to 20 Countries: President Trump sent letters outlining duties on imported goods with rates ranging from 25% to 40% that will take effect on August 1 unless bilateral agreements are agreed upon. 

• Targeted countries include Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh and others that are integral to the global supply chain for vehicles, electronics, rubber components and aftermarket systems. 
   

New Tariff Rates Impact Vehicle and Part Suppliers. Several nations that received tariff letters are top exporters of parts, including: 

• Japan and South Korea (25%)– key sources of original equipment and aftermarket engine components, transmission systems, sensors and electronics. 
• Thailand (36%) and Malaysia (25%) – major producers of rubber products, lighting, air conditioning units and moldings. 
• Indonesia (32%) and Bangladesh (35%) – increasingly involved in manufacturing electrical harnesses, plastic housings and interior trim. 
• The application of 25 to 40% tariff rates on imports from these countries could drive up costs on critical parts used throughout the aftermarket, from engine rebuild kits and brake components to wiring systems and infotainment upgrades. 
• Additional new tariff rates outlined in President Trump's letters include South Africa (30%), Kazakhstan (25%), Laos (40%), Myanmar (40%), Tunisia (25%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (30%), Serbia (35%) and Cambodia (36%). 
   

Additional letters outlining new tariff rates were issued on July 9. 

• According to the Associated Press, President Trump issued tariff letters to Libya, Iraq, Algeria, and Sri Lanka (30%), Moldova and Brunei (25%), and the Philippines at 20%. He also announced that exports from Brazil would be met with 50% tariffs starting on August 1. 

Copper Tariff Threat: President Trump has floated the possibility of a 50% tariff on copper, which is essential to automotive wiring, motor windings, EV powertrains and thermal systems. 

Electronics and Chipsets: The White House has suggested further tariffs may be levied on semiconductors, sensors and other "strategic electronics." These components are vital for Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) recalibration tools, engine control units (ECUs) and aftermarket diagnostic systems.  

Impacted Nations Respond. Japan and South Korea have moved quickly to open new trade talks in hopes of securing exemptions or reduced rates.  

• Malaysia and Thailand have pushed back, but optimism remains that the two countries will reach an accord ahead of August 1.  
• The EU is racing to finalize a broader agreement that could prevent across-the-board tariffs on components sourced from EU member states. 
• Australia, a key supplier of copper and lithium, maintains it is seeking clarification on whether new duties could affect exports tied to EV battery components and wiring harnesses or if it will remain limited to pharmaceuticals.  
• Brazil: the country was threatened with a 50% tariff, a stark increase from its original 10% duty announced in April. As a result, Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva will sign a decree to set criteria to assess countermeasures.  
   

What Comes Next

Unless significant trade concessions are made, August 1 will mark a new phase of tariff enforcement on imports, including vehicle-related parts and components. The U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) office is expected to release further implementation guidance within the next two weeks. 

PRI's Washington, D.C., office will continue to monitor developments closely and provide members with updates and policy briefings as further information becomes available. 

Further Reading

White House Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Continues Enforcement of Reciprocal Tariffs and Announces New Tariff Rates.

Questions? Please contact Juan Mejia, SEMA and PRI's senior manager for federal affairs, at jmejia@sema.org.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

The recent adjournment of Connecticut's legislative session provided an opportunity for Moroso Performance Products to host Senator Christine Cohen and Representative Aimee Berger-Girvalo for a tour of its headquarters in Guilford. Both lawmakers serve as co-chairs of the Transportation Committee, which plays a crucial role in shaping policies that impact the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries.

Connecticut's specialty equipment aftermarket contributes significantly to the state's economy, annually generating $3.79 billion in economic output, supporting over 13,323 jobs, and providing $1.26 billion in wages and benefits.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity for the Moroso team to engage directly with legislators, highlight key industry issues, showcase innovation, and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the automotive aftermarket. The primary focus of the conversation centered on supporting local race track facilities, including efforts to protect them from frivolous lawsuits that threaten their viability and long-term operation. SEMA and PRI will continue our advocacy efforts during the next legislative session to ensure race tracks remain protected and motorsports can thrive in Connecticut and other states.

Host Your Own Tour

Inviting your local lawmakers to tour your business is a powerful way to showcase your operations and team, strengthen relationships with decision-makers and advocate for the industry's policy priorities.  

Visits like these are especially powerful when lawmakers see firsthand the craftsmanship, passion, and hard work happening every day in small, family-run shops, which are the true backbone of the industry. It puts faces to the policies they debate and reminds them that behind every regulation are real people, jobs and communities.

Interested in hosting a lawmaker at your facility? SEMA's Government Affairs team is here to help make it happen. Please contact Tierra Hubbard, SEMA's senior manager for state government affairs, at tierrah@sema.org. 

Registration for the 2026 SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference, the aftermarket industry's premier conference for establishing connections between motorsports parts manufacturers and media professionals, is now open. The Media Trade Conference is open to PRI business members. Learn more and register at sema.org/mtc.

Taking place January 27-29 in Anaheim, California, the conference will unveil the latest news from top brands in the motorsports world, as they provide updates on new and innovative products spanning high-performance parts, safety equipment, fluids, maintenance, and more.  

Unlike a traditional trade show, where exhibitors meet with buyers and resellers, the Media Trade Conference focuses on private 30-minute meetings between manufacturers and media. Manufacturers participate in more than 40 meetings over the course of three days, gaining valuable, curated connections with journalists, editors, writers, podcasters, and content creators.  

"The Media Trade Conference is the only industry event where brands can meet one-on-one with both traditional media and established content creators that can help them promote their brands and products to mass audiences," said MPMC Director Marcy Yanus. "Our goal is to not only help our member manufacturers save time and money prospecting new partnerships but also discover how the media landscape is changing and leverage those insights to advance their business."  

Known for its speed-dating format, the MPMC Media Trade Conference makes it easy for exhibitors to share detailed information about their products, company updates, and plans for the racing season. Media publish the content they collect on their channels year-round. To help attendees further their connections beyond the meetings, networking breaks and a reception are scheduled throughout the week.  

 Attendees can maximize their ROI by registering early. Early-bird pricing for exhibitors is $850 until September 8 and will increase to $950 beginning September 9. Media registration will open in September. Learn more and register at sema.org/mtc. 

Mustang Week Texas is returning to Galveston in 2026. Kicking off the event--which takes place from Tuesday, April 14, to Saturday, April 18, 2026--Mustang owners can connect at the welcome party on Tuesday night.

Wednesday will be Track Day at Motor Speedway Resort (MSR), where Mustang owners can participate in autocross and road course events. Thursday is set for Drag Day, also at MSR, where participants can test and tune, line up for grudge matches or race for bragging rights. The main car show and event will take place Friday and Saturday at Moody Gardens.

Mustang Week attendees can expect to see hundreds of show-quality Mustangs, 60 vendor displays, drift exhibitions, burnout pits, and music.  

Mustang Week 2026, Tuesday, April 14–Sunday, April 18

• Motor Speedway Resort: Track Day, Wednesday 
• Motor Speedway Resort: Drag Day, Thursday 
• Moody Gardens' Main Car Show & Events: Friday & Saturday 

For more information, visit mustangweek.com.  

NASCAR has announced the Cook Out Clash will return to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as the opening exhibition event for the 2026 season. FOX Sports will broadcast next year's race as it returns to the historic venue on Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1.

"The City of Winston-Salem is deeply honored to have been chosen to host the 2026 Cook Out Clash," said City of Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines. "The 2025 race was an immensely successful event for all parties involved. We will work hard to ensure that the 2026 Cook Out Clash is even more successful."

Cook Out, one of the fastest-growing family-owned restaurant chains in the nation, will return as the entitlement partner for the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Built in 1937, Bowman Gray Stadium, a quarter-mile short track, holds a special place in NASCAR history as the longest-running weekly race track. In 1949, Bill France Sr. and Alvin Hawkins, two founding fathers of NASCAR, introduced motorsports to the facility as the first weekly race track and the first paved race track on which NASCAR events were held. In 2024, NASCAR took over the long-term management of racing operations at Bowman Gray Stadium in partnership with the City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 

This year's Cook Out Clash was the first Cup Series race at the historic track since 1971. Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series champion, won this year's Cook Out Clash.

For more information and to get on the list to purchase tickets for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, visit NASCARClash.com.  

Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) has announced an event to relaunch its original Charlotte, North Carolina, chapter with industry powerhouse Alba Colón as the new chapter president. The Charlotte WIMNA chapter joins chapters in Detroit, Indianapolis, Monterey, Southern California and Seattle. 

WIMNA will host an event on Wednesday, July 30, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST at the Hendrick Motorsports headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

For more information, visit womeninmotorsportsna.com. 

Tread Lightly!, a Utah-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible motorized recreation through education and stewardship programs, has renewed its partnership with the Ford Performance Racing School.

"We are thrilled to continue our relationship with the Ford Performance Racing School," said Evan Robins, Tread Lightly! assistant director-programs. "By incorporating Tread Lightly! ethics into its curriculum, the Ford Performance Racing School is directly supporting our mission to educate new owners on how to offroad responsibly."  

As an official partner of Tread Lightly!, Ford Performance Racing School will help to educate off-roading enthusiasts who attend its Raptor Assault and ST SUV Experience programs on the Tread Lightly! mission and the importance of responsible motorized recreation to keep outdoor spaces open, healthy and beautiful.

The Raptor Assault and ST SUV Experience programs include on-the-trail training and a classroom setting to demonstrate the performance capabilities of the Ford Raptor (F-150 and Ranger) or ST SUV (Explorer). These programs operate in controlled environments in Tooele, Utah; Park City, Utah; Concord, North Carolina; and Asheville, North Carolina. Participants will receive educational material and practical, hands-on experience to learn not only how to operate their vehicles on off-road terrain, but how to do it sustainably.

For more information, visit fordperformanceracingschool.com or treadlightly.org.

Editor's Note: This article, originally published on Thursday, July 10, has an update on Tuesday, July 15, here. 

President Trump's self-imposed July 9 deadline to strike new deals with international trade partners has come and gone with new developments for American businesses to be mindful of, including new tariffs effective starting in August for several countries unless they come to a trade agreement with the United States in July. Here's the latest: 

• Deadline Passes, with Extension. On July 7, the President issued an Executive Order, "EXTENDING THE MODIFICATION OF THE RECIPROCAL TARIFF AGEEEMENTS," which moved the tariff compliance deadline from July 9 to August 1, giving countries additional time to negotiate new reciprocal tariff agreements with the United States or face increased tariffs (currently 10% for most countries).   

• According to President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, there will be no further extensions for international trading partners.  

• Tariff Letters Issued to 14 countries. President Trump sent letters outlining duties on imported goods with rates ranging from 25% to 40% that will take effect on August 1 unless bilateral agreements are agreed upon. 

• Targeted countries include Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh and others that are integral to the global supply chain for vehicles, electronics, rubber components and aftermarket systems. 

• New Tariff Rates Impact Vehicle and Part Suppliers. Several nations that received tariff letters are top exporters of parts, including: 

• Japan and South Korea (25%)– key sources of original equipment and aftermarket engine components, transmission systems, sensors and electronics. 
• Thailand (36%) and Malaysia (25%) – major producers of rubber products, lighting, air conditioning units and moldings. 
• Indonesia (32%) and Bangladesh (35%) – increasingly involved in manufacturing electrical harnesses, plastic housings, and interior trim. 
• The application of 25% to 40% tariff rates on imports from these countries could drive up costs on critical parts used throughout the aftermarket, from engine rebuild kits and brake components to wiring systems and infotainment upgrades. 
• Additional new tariff rates outlined in President Trump's letters include South Africa (30%), Kazakhstan (25%), Laos (40%), Myanmar (40%), Tunisia (25%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (30%), Serbia (35%) and Cambodia (36%). 

• Additional letters outlining new tariff rates issued on July 9.  

• According to the AP, President Trump issued tariff letters to Libya, Iraq, Algeria and Sri Lanka (30%), Moldova and Brunei (25%), and the Philippines at 20%. He also announced that exports from Brazil would be met with 50% tariffs starting on August 1. 

• Copper Tariff Threat. President Trump has floated the possibility of a 50% tariff on copper, which is essential to automotive wiring, motor windings, EV powertrains and thermal systems. 

• Electronics and Chipsets. The White House has suggested further tariffs may be levied on semiconductors, sensors, and other “strategic electronics.” These components are vital for Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) recalibration tools, engine control units (ECUs), and aftermarket diagnostic systems.  

• Impacted Nations Respond. Japan and South Korea have moved quickly to open new trade talks in hopes of securing exemptions or reduced rates.  

• Malaysia and Thailand have pushed back, but optimism remains that the two countries will reach an accord ahead of August 1.  
• The European Union (EU) is racing to finalize a broader agreement that could prevent across-the-board tariffs on components sourced from EU member states. 
• Australia—a key supplier of copper and lithium—maintains it is seeking clarification on whether new duties could affect exports tied to EV battery components and wiring harnesses or if it’ll remain limited to pharmaceuticals.  

What Comes Next 

Unless significant trade concessions are made, August 1, will mark a new phase of tariff enforcement on imports, including vehicle-related parts and components. The U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) office is expected to release further implementation guidance within the next two weeks. 

We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide members with updates and policy briefings as further information becomes available. 

Further Reading 

White House Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Continues Enforcement of Reciprocal Tariffs and Announces New Tariff Rates. 

Questions? Contact Juan Mejia, SEMA's senior manager for federal government affairs, at JuanM@sema.org. 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

SEMA and PRI have been following the devastating situation unfolding in Central Texas and would like to express our heartfelt concern for everyone affected. SEMA and PRI, along with several other industry companies, contribute to the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF), an organization that has supported individuals and families in the aftermarket community facing financial hardship due to unexpected adversity since 1959. These include: 

• Floods, earthquakes, storms and fires. 
• Catastrophic medical conditions. 
• Life-changing accidents. 
• Devastating fatalities. 

Applicant Criteria: To be considered, applicants must have been employed for three (3) continuous years in the automotive aftermarket industry or one (1) year with one single-employer and have no other means of support. 

Visit the Natural Disaster Application link here.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, contact AACF directly at 772-286-5500 or info@aacfi.org, or visit aftermarketfoundation.org for more information.

The International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) has announced its next ICMS Café, a series of virtual education events, will take place on Tuesday, July 16 at 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT, with a focused conversation on "Recruitment and Retention for Safety Teams."

Host Dave "Chico" Richards, the fire chief at Pocono Raceway, will lead the session and offer real-world strategies for building and maintaining high-performing trackside safety crews.

This session is open to all motorsports safety professionals looking to strengthen their teams and improve long-term staffing success.

Learn more and register at linktr.ee/ICMS.