President Trump recently extended an offer to Ford to manufacture a vehicle in the U.S. instead of China. Ford has reportedly rejected that offer.
According to Fox News:
Ford has rejected President Trump’s call for it to shift production of the Chinese-made Focus Active crossover-style hatchback to the U.S., after announcing last month that it would not import the model due to tariff concerns.
The administration in July implemented a 27.5 percent tariff on cars imported from China, which the Asian nation countered with a 40 percent levy on U.S. automobile imports.
Trump tweeted on Sunday:
“Ford has abruptly killed a plan to sell a Chinese-made small vehicle in the U.S. because of the prospect of higher U.S. Tariffs.” CNBC. This is just the beginning. This car can now be BUILT IN THE U.S.A. and Ford will pay no tariffs!
“Ford has abruptly killed a plan to sell a Chinese-made small vehicle in the U.S. because of the prospect of higher U.S. Tariffs.” CNBC. This is just the beginning. This car can now be BUILT IN THE U.S.A. and Ford will pay no tariffs!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2018
However, a Ford spokesman Mike Levine indicated that there isn’t a good a business case to build the low-margin, niche model in the U.S.
Instead of selling the car in the United States the vehicle will now be sold in China and other foreign markets.
