Ford Motor has ceased sending sports vehicles to China, including SUVs, pickup trucks, and sports cars as a reaction to retaliatory tariffs stemming from President Trump’s trade conflict.
This week, the manufacturer halted shipments of F-150 Raptors, Mustang Muscle Cars, Bronco SUVs built in Michigan, and Lincoln Navigators to China, as reported by the Wall Street Journal on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The WSJ noted that China’s retaliatory actions against US import tariffs have raised the obligatory costs for these vehicles by 150%.
“We have modified exports from the US to China due to the current tariffs,” a spokesperson for Ford confirmed via email to News Nation, without specifying which models were influenced.
Last year, Ford is said to have exported around 5,500 Broncos, F-150s, Mustangs, and Navigators to China. Nonetheless, this has significantly decreased from the annual average of over 20,000 vehicle exports to China observed over the previous decade, according to the WSJ.
Ford’s choice marks one of the initial tangible indicators that American car manufacturers will adapt their operations amidst Trump’s trade war. This conflict is anticipated to increase expenses for both producers and consumers.
A recent study by the Center for Automotive Research suggests that a 25% tariff on automobile imports mandated by Trump could escalate costs for all US automakers to about $100 billion in 2025.
Automakers are additionally dealing with tariffs of at least 25% on steel and aluminum imports.
Earlier this week, Trump indicated that he might relieve the auto sector from “permanent” tariffs, although few specifics were shared.
The president claims that his trade war will restore manufacturing jobs in the US, yet experts worry that economic instability will discourage the company from committing to long-term investments.
Ford also exports engines and transmissions manufactured in the US to China, and these shipments are ongoing, according to the WSJ.
The company manufactures approximately 80% of vehicles sold in the US, positioning it relatively well to endure the tariff challenges. As reported by Reuters.
