With Donald Trump flooding the national dialogue as much as he has been, you would be forgiven for having missed how the business-tycoon-turned-Presidental-candidate directly and explicitly called out Ford Motor Company for its announced $2.5 billion investment into production in Mexico.
A public feud between The Donald and Ford CEO Mark Fields ensued.
Mr. Trump has stated numerous times now that if elected President, he would slap Ford Motor Company with a 35% tax on all cars and parts manufactured in Mexico and shipped into the United States – despite that being a pretty clear violation of NAFTA. More recently, reports Fortune Magazine, Trump said this:
“I mean, the way our country is run, if it doesn’t happen to be me that wins, you know what’s going to happen? They’re going to build a plant and illegals are going to drive those cars right over the border… And they’ll probably end up stealing the cars.”
This statement prompted yet another response from CEO Mark Fields, who told Fortune: “It’s really unfortunate when facts get muddled in the fog of politics. I actually sent him a note after he mentioned that… I laid out the facts: ‘We, as a company, have invested more than $10 billion in our facilities since 2011. We have created more than 25,000 jobs since 2011. We have committed to investing another $6 billion, at least, in the next four years into our facilities and committed to actually adding over another 8,000 jobs. We are very proud of what we do at Ford Motor Co. to support economic development in the United States of America, just like in all the markets that we do business in.’
“The implicit message is: Let’s look at the facts. He sent me a nice note back saying, ‘Thanks Mark. I’m a big customer.’”
Regardless of the amount (or lack) of tact displayed in Mr. Trump’s public statements on the matter, opposition to Ford’s expansion in Mexico has proven to be a popular stance. When news broke last year of the $2.5 billion investment beyond US borders, scores of Detroit Free Press readers wrote the paper to express their discontent with the news.
Comments
I am currently in possession of my 24th Ford vehicle, a 2021 Ford Edge Titanium. I am 73 years old, and since 2013 I’ve purchased 4 new Ford Edges including 2013, 2015, 2018 and the new 2021. Donald Trump is an idiot! Period. Time will reveal the truth about him.
I’ve had Ford trucks (both diesel and gas) as well as two-door and 4-door sedans, coupes, and Mustangs. As an American, I stand with FORD, after all my name is ALFORD!
I took stand with Ford! Besides being an idiot, Trump is also an arrogant moron, that continues to brag about how he and only he is the smartest person i n the world, but all he is a con man, blatant liar, violator of our Rules of Laws, a white supremist terrorist leader, a wannbe dictator caused a treasonous act of an Insurrection on his own Government, just because his ego was hurt, because he couldn’t take losing his re-election! Did I mention he’s also the biggest jealous jerk!
Life long ford truck guy. I hate to see the comments about former president Donald Trump from Ford. Ford has every right to make them but I have the right not to like them. I am sure this comment will be erased some how. I hate the fact that Ford the company I have supported for 45 years has made it personal. Maybe its time to look at Toyota or other manufactures. Going back to Fords roots I don’t think Henry, Henry II would approve either. Stay out of politics maybe learn from bud light.