Welcome to the NewsHour. President Trump signed an executive order today aimed at softening the blow.

His tariffs have imposed on the automotive industry and U.S. manufacturers.

A tariff of 25 percent on imported cars and auto parts will remain in place,

but the administration will make some changes so differing tariffs can't be stacked on top of other tariffs for automakers.

Beyond that, automakers will be reimbursed for some of the costs of imported parts.

That news came as President Trump marked his first 100 days in office.

Just before he left for a trip to Michigan today, he explained why he adjusted the levies for carmakers.

We just wanted to help them during this little transition short-term.

And during this little, if they can't get parts, you know, it has to do with a very small percentage.

If they can't get parts, we didn't want to penalize them.

But tensions with China and a number of countries remain high and companies are concerned.

For its part, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a video today saying it would not back

down from the trade war with the U.S.

History has proven. Compromise won't earn you mercy. Nealing only invites more bullion.

China won't kneel down because we know standing up for ourselves keeps the possibility of cooperation alive.

For more on all this, we're joined now by Gavin Bade, trade and economic policy reporter for the Wall Street Journal, who first reported on the story. It's great to have you here. Thanks for coming in.

Thanks for having me back. Glad to be here. So help us understand more about the exemptions the president announced today. How big of a break is this for automakers, especially when the broader 25% tariffs on imported parts and cars remains in effect.

Yeah, I think the impact is still a little bit uncertain. The automakers I talk to are still

digesting it, but it's significant. We're not going to see, for instance, the 25% steel and

aluminum tariffs that they were going to be stacked on top of these 25% auto tariffs before

this action today. That was going to be really painful

for a lot of automakers, not just for finished cars, but for the parts they're bringing in

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