Government policy remains a defining force for the automotive industry as companies navigate tariffs, USMCA renegotiations, and an evolving regulatory landscape. These issues, along with other key findings from Dykema’s 2026 Automotive Trends Report, will help shape discussions at Dykema Drives: Automotive Legal Summit on August 20. Register now.

As the USMCA review gets underway, one finding from Dykema’s 2026 Automotive Trends Report stands out: concern over USMCA renegotiations increased 30 percentage points from 2025, with 49% of respondents identifying renegotiations as a top government policy concern.

While tariffs remain the industry’s leading government policy concern, the sharp rise in attention to USMCA reflects growing recognition that the 2026 review could involve substantive renegotiation rather than routine affirmation. Potential changes to rules of origin, labor-value content requirements, Chinese inputs, and tariff treatment for vehicles and parts moving within North America could have far-reaching implications across the automotive sector.

Taken together, the findings reflect a growing recognition that government policy is becoming a more significant consideration in long-term business planning, influencing decisions across manufacturing, sourcing, and investment.

Click here for a closer look at the government policy trends shaping the automotive industry: Report Link.

View the full 2026 Automotive Trends Report: Report Link.