Ford Motor Company, a titan of American manufacturing, is urgently appealing to the Trump administration for tariff relief, asserting that recent trade agreements with European and Asian partners have inadvertently placed the automaker at a significant competitive disadvantage compared to overseas exporters.

The automotive supply chain heavily relies on neighboring Mexico and Canada, yet these nations remain outside the scope of the new trade deals, leaving companies like Ford grappling with profound uncertainty over regional trade relationships.

Despite the administration’s stated goal of boosting domestic business, Ford contends that its deeply integrated North American manufacturing process is being unfairly penalized by the continued imposition of 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, which are notably higher than the 15% rates now applied to major automotive nations such as Japan, South Korea, and Germany.

This tariff disparity, according to Ford, actively undermines the objective of strengthening American manufacturing by creating a cost advantage that favors foreign producers, compelling them to reconsider their investment strategies within the United States.

However, not all voices echo Ford’s concern; Republican U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno vehemently dismissed such complaints as “quadruple baloney,” urging automakers to appreciate the administration’s substantial regulatory rollbacks and various tariff exemptions designed to mitigate costs.

The unified front of the “Detroit Three” automakers has fractured, with Ford consistently pushing for fewer trade barriers with Mexico and Canada, while General Motors and Stellantis have adopted differing positions, reflecting their varied global supply chain interests and import volumes.

Industry leaders, including Glenn Stevens of MichAuto, emphasize the severe economic disruption prolonged tariff negotiations with Canada and Mexico are inflicting upon Michigan’s capital-intensive manufacturing and automotive sectors, hindering long-term planning, expansion, and ultimately impacting employment and economic stability.

Even as businesses attempt to navigate this volatile landscape, the broader economic consequences are becoming apparent, with Canadian automotive union leader Lana Payne asserting that the existing Trump tariffs have already caused tangible harm to workers and businesses in Ontario, potentially foreshadowing wider economic shifts.