Osamu Inoue, president of Sumitomo Electric, which makes parts for Volkswagen, Toyota and Stellantis, among others, said Trump’s threatened 25 per cent tariffs on Mexican goods would do more harm to US suppliers, which account for almost a third of car parts investment in Mexico.

North American car companies have operated across borders for three decades. Tariffs would raise prices and cost jobs in the short run, analysts say.