Donald Trump announces new 25% tariffs on cars from overseas as reflected on by Sister Maria Teresa Morales

News reports describe new US plans for significant tariffs on cars from overseas. President Trump announced a 25% levy on imported vehicles. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney calls these tariffs a “direct attack.” From our desert borderland, we watch such economic shifts closely. They carry real consequences for the families we serve every day.

Considering the Human Cost of Tariffs on Cars

At Madre de Dios Ministry, we witness how global decisions ripple into local lives. We see the faces of mothers struggling to feed their children. We meet fathers seeking honest work to provide for their families. Therefore, economic policies, even those concerning car imports, affect more than just trade balances. They impact the cost of living. They determine access to essential goods. Ultimately, they touch human dignity itself.

Our faith teaches us about the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable. This principle guides our every action. When prices rise, the poor suffer first and most deeply. They lack the savings or resources to absorb increased costs. Consequently, tariffs can make basic necessities, including transportation, less accessible. We must ask: who bears the heaviest burden of these decisions?

Upholding Dignity in Economic Policy

Scripture reminds us to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 calls us to consider the ethical dimensions of all our actions. Leaders must weigh policies not just for economic gain, but also for their human impact. Furthermore, decisions about trade and industry should prioritize the common good. They should not harm the most marginalized among us.

We work daily with families navigating immense challenges. Many arrive here seeking safety and opportunity. They often rely on affordable goods and services to build new lives. Policies like these tariffs on cars can disrupt fragile economies. They can make life harder for those already struggling. We pray that leaders remember the human face behind every statistic. We pray they seek true justice and compassion in their decisions.

Read the original news coverage on The Guardian (World).

By Sister Maria Teresa Morales

Religious sister of the Sisters of Mercy directing frontline health clinics and migrant hospitality houses along the international border. Writes on human dignity, maternal health, immigrant accompaniment, and recognizing the sacred in the most vulnerable.