WASHINGTON — Richard Smallwood describes himself as a “pretty far right-wing conservative” and a longtime supporter of President Trump. But like many in the auto industry, Mr. Smallwood, the president of the tire company Sumitomo Rubber North America, has been puzzled and dismayed by the president’s proposal to impose tariffs on foreign automobiles and their parts.
“He’s the president of the United States, and I just sell tires,” said Mr. Smallwood, whose company imports tires from abroad. “I have to be careful about second-guessing him, but I wish it were a more logical approach.”
On Thursday, Mr. Smallwood appeared at a government hearing on the sweeping tariffs the administration is now considering, along with other suppliers, and representatives from car companies and foreign countries. Unlike the previous hearing on the administration’s metals tariffs, which drew some support, the testimony of those who appeared on Thursday was almost uniformly negative and punctuated with concerns about how tariffs would raise their costs, stifle innovation and dampen their plans for expansion and hiring.
“Every aspect of the U.S. automotive value chain is united in its concern on this issue,” said John Bozzella, the chief executive of Global Automakers, which represents international car companies. “You cannot find a company that has asked for this protection.”
