Trump stalls auto tariff decision for six months

President Trump is pushing for new trade agreements to address a "national security threat."

President Donald Trump has decided to stall his decision on levying tariffs for imported cars, giving other countries six more months to establish new trade agreements.

The president has argued that vehicles imported from European and Asian countries represent a "national security threat." If new agreements are not established, the administration has threatened to levy tariffs of up to 25 percent on imported vehicles.

"Automotive technological superiority is essential for the national defense," the administration said in a statement. "In light of all of these factors, domestic conditions of competition must be improved by reducing imports."

Trump reportedly decided to delay his decision to avoid overlap between the automotive import issue, ongoing NAFTA negotiations, and a separate trade spat with China, according to The New York Times.

News about progress on NAFTA's replacement, known as the Unites States Mexico Canada Agreement, is rumored to be forthcoming.