I think that the decision by the government to put restrictions on vehicle standards in an attempt to have higher quality vehicles is a miscalculation in opportunity cost of the situation for the purchaser. The government traded slightly more dependable cars for a huge increase in price of the vehicle for the individual buyer. The government has limited the ability of the individual to have the best choice in regards to transportation by mis-judging the secondary effects of their own regulations. As was mentioned, other countries do not have the same problems as our country does when it comes to average car price, which goes to show the misstep of the Trump administration.
I like the idea of looking at it from a purchaser's point of view. Good job presenting the idea of the restricted availability of trade and commerce of the Car Industry for poor ways to keep the US' own industry alive and profitable.