Dhaka, March 30 -- US President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that he "couldn't care less" if automakers increase car prices for Americans in the wake of his imposition of import tariffs.

There have been reports that Trump threatened auto executives with reprisals if prices jump, but he told NBC News that increasing prices would simply help US-based manufacturers.

"I couldn't care less. I hope they raise their prices, because if they do, people are gonna buy American-made cars. We have plenty," he told NBC host Kristen Welker.

On Thursday, Trump imposed a blanket 25 percent import tariff on cars and light trucks made outside the United States, due to take effect on April 3.

Tariffs will be delayed for car parts from countries cove...