The multinational automaker Stellantis has temporarily suspended production at its assembly plants in Canada and Mexico in response to the 25 percent U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles.
The company announced the production halt on Thursday, the same day the tariffs on all vehicles imported to the U.S. took effect, fueling widespread concern among industry professionals about potential income losses and growing uncertainty for the sector.
The shutdown will begin on Monday for two weeks at Stellantis' Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. It will last for the entire month of April at its Toluca Assembly Plant in Toluca, Mexico.
As a result, approximately 900 workers at the company's U.S. powertrain and stamping facilities will be temporarily laid off. Around 4,500 workers at Windsor will also be impacted by the production halt. Meanwhile, workers at Toluca will continue to report for work but will not be involved in vehicle production, though they will still be paid.
Stellantis' facility in Toluca has been a fixture since 1968, providing employment for roughly 3,000 people and producing the Jeep Compass and Jeep Wagoneer S. This production pause has raised concerns among both local residents and industry professionals about the future of Mexico's automotive industry.
"There will be an impact. Factory revenues will decrease, and people will lose their income," said Octavio Leyes, a local car dealer.
Guillermo Rosales Zarate, executive president of the Mexican Association of Automotive Dealers (AMDA), echoed these worries.
"We are now in a period of uncertainty, and Mexico's economy, particularly the automotive industry, still faces significant risks," he said.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reassured on Friday that the temporary closure of Stellantis' plant in Mexico would not lead to job losses in the country.
She also noted that economic minister Marcelo Ebrard had discussions with Stellantis to gather more details on the situation.
Earlier, the president announced that Ebrard would travel to the U.S. next week to discuss the tariffs' impact on automotive and the steel and aluminum industries, which are not covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Although U.S. President Donald Trump initially announced a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico, he later agreed to suspend tariffs on products covered by the USMCA.
Stellantis halts production in Canada and Mexico amid U.S. tariffs, raising concerns
Stellantis halts production in Canada and Mexico amid U.S. tariffs, raising concerns
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
