Trump’s new obsession: he discovered it in Japan and the United States wants it as soon as possible

When President Donald Trump returned from a recent trip to Japan, he brought back something far more unusual than a diplomatic headline: a new fixation with Japan’s tiny “kei cars,” the ultra-compact vehicles that zip through Tokyo’s narrow streets with ease. Now he wants to see them built — and driven — in American cities.

Trump’s new auto obsession

Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump described the kei cars as “very small, really cute,” and urged automakers like Toyota and Honda — or any company willing to take the leap — to manufacture these micro-vehicles on U.S. soil.

According to Trump, it isn’t the cars’ engineering that blocks their entry into the American market but U.S. safety and road regulations that classify them as non-compliant. Changing that, he suggested, could open the door for an entirely new category of affordable urban cars.

A policy shift that fits Trump’s ‘built in America’ agenda

The fascination comes as the administration pushes a new 25% tariff on imported cars, part of a broader effort to revive domestic manufacturing.Allowing automakers to produce kei-style vehicles inside the United States would sidestep those tariffs, making the move consistent with Trump’s long-running “made at home” economic message.

Why kei cars work in Japan — and why the U.S. is different

In Japan, kei cars make up nearly a third of all new-car sales thanks to their compact size, fuel efficiency, and significant tax benefits. They’re designed specifically for crowded cities where parking is scarce and streets are tight.

Bringing that success to the United States, however, could be a challenge. Kei cars aren’t built for the high-speed demands of American highways, and most don’t meet U.S. crash-test standards. Without major redesigns, they wouldn’t legally qualify for American roads.

Industry experts express doubts

Auto analysts warn that producing kei cars in North America would require major investment — new factories, new components, and entirely new design approaches.

Even then, there’s another problem: Americans have historically rejected small cars. The U.S. market leans heavily toward SUVs, pickups, and crossovers, raising doubts about whether enough demand exists to justify the effort.

Safety regulations also pose a lingering hurdle. Even if rules were relaxed, experts say that meeting minimal crash-test requirements would remain a serious challenge for such lightweight cars.

A debate that’s just getting started

Trump’s endorsement has sparked a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. Supporters say kei cars could offer Americans cheaper, more efficient transportation options. Critics call the idea naïve — or even risky — arguing that it ignores the vast differences between Japanese urban life and the realities of U.S. highways.

Still, one thing is clear: if Trump’s micro-car obsession turns into policy, it could dramatically reshape what American streets look like, turning a niche Japanese novelty into a genuine — and disruptive — new choice for U.S. drivers.

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