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It’s the last Friday of the month, and today we’re covering new US tariffs on all sorts of Chinese goods, how OEMs are flocking back to television ads on NFL games, and Mr. Beast’s manifesto on how to build a successful company. 

Show Notes with links:

• New tariffs go into effect today, as the Biden Administration targets Chinese-built EVs and other imports. The 100% tariff on Chinese EVs escalates trade tensions between the US and China and follows months of negotiation.
  • The tariffs affect 14 categories of Chinese goods, including 50% on solar cells and 25% on key materials like steel, aluminum, and lithium-ion batteries.
  • Tariffs on Chinese semiconductors are expected in 2025 and electronics such as laptops and cell phones are set for 2026.
  • Chinese EVs only account for 2% of US EV imports.
  • China has threatened retaliation, labeling the tariffs as “bullying” and escalating the global trade war.

• Automakers are ramping up their advertising spend during the NFL season after a few years of reduced activity. Brands like Toyota, Hyundai, and Detroit automakers are betting big on live sports, especially NFL games, to capture consumer attention.
  • Automotive advertising increased by 17% over the last two NFL seasons and is expected to keep growing.
  • Last NFL season, 44% of automotive ad spend on national TV was dedicated to NFL programming, compared to 31% across all sectors, according to Guideline.
  • Toyota has become the “Official Automotive Partner of the NFL,” and GM plans to boost ad spending by $400 million in the second half of the year to promote new vehicle launches.
  • NFL broadcasts garnered 17.9 million viewers on average last season, with the Super Bowl drawing 123.7 million.
  • Toyota’s Dedra DeLilli said, “The most appealing aspect of this partnership is we have access to 218 million highly diverse, highly engaged fans of the NFL.”

• MrBeast, YouTube’s biggest star, is now making waves as a thought leader in the tech world. A leaked workplace guide by Jimmy Donaldson has caught the attention of Silicon Valley, sparking conversations on leadership, productivity, and intense work expectations.
  • The 36-page guide emphasizes hiring "A-Players" who are obsessive, coachable, and the best in their field.
  • Donaldson expects workers to be laser-focused, demanding radical accountability and a "no excuses" approach to their work.
  • It’s been compared to "founder mode," a hands-on management style popular in the tech industry.
  • While some praise its intensity, others criticized it for promoting a grueling work culture.

Investor Marc Cohen said, “It feels like it’s written by a person rather than a corporation,”

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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