WA Subaru shop braces for price hikes amid new tariff on foreign cars

President Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on foreign-made automobiles is creating concern among businesses in the Seattle area, particularly at Suburb Service, a Subaru repair shop in Lake Forest Park. Owner Debra Christner has been inundated with questions from customers worried about how the new tariffs will affect their repair costs. Many customers fear that the tariff will result in a straightforward 25% increase in prices, significantly impacting their budgets. Christner, who has specialized in Subaru vehicles for 18 years, explained that the cost of imported parts—such as oil filters and wiper blades—will likely rise sharply due to the tariff. To alleviate some of the financial burden, she has stocked up on essential parts, aiming to give her customers a two-week buffer before price increases take effect.

However, once her inventory runs out, the higher costs will be unavoidable. "What it is today is not going to be what it was last week," she noted, emphasizing the uncertainty and anxiety surrounding the situation. The overall impact of the tariff on local businesses and consumers remains to be seen, but the immediate concerns are palpable.