Mazda, Nissan pause US production of automobiles for Canada

Japanese automakers Nissan and Mazda will continue suspending US production of vehicles destined for Canada.

This suspension which is not unconnected with the tariff feud, may linger until the outcome of talks between the two nations is known.

Canada imposed a 25-percent tariff on automobile imports from the US. This is in retaliation for the same-rate tariffs slapped on by the Trump administration.

Since May, Nissan has halted production of three models for Canada at plants in the US states of Tennessee and Mississippi. This includes large SUVs.

Mazda has also paused production of some models for Canada at its Alabama plant since May. In addition, it has switched production lines to making vehicles for the US domestic market.

The automakers say they are taking these measures to hold down the tariff burden when exporting products from the US to Canada.

Nissan officials said they hoped the US and Canada would reach a tariff agreement.

Mazda officials have said they will consider flexible and appropriate measures while carefully assessing tariff negotiations.