Since taking office last month, President Donald Trump has imposed an additional tariff of 10 percent on goods imported from China, and soon, they’ll be joined by 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum and reciprocal levies as well. For now at least, proposed 25 percent tariffs on imported items from Canada and Mexico are on hold, but Trump recently revealed that he plans on implementing a universal automotive tariff in early April. Turns out, some Ford workers in Kentucky are worried about the potential impacts of these actions on their jobs, too.
“It’s already affecting our workers. Our workers are worried about it,” Todd Dunn, president of UAW’s Louisville chapter, told WHAS 11 News. “Some of these tariffs haven’t even hit yet, and you’re already hearing folks talk about their jobs. This threatens the jobs here in Louisville, Kentucky. Even at the local union level, we’re preparing for a $1.2 million shortfall, and everybody is trying to prepare for this and get out in front of it.” However, not everyone is worried that tariffs will have a negative impact on the industry.
“I’m not that concerned. I’d like to see how the tariffs kind of play out and how some of the cuts that they’re considering – whether or not they actually come to fruition,” said Kentucky State Senator Matt Deneen. “I think a lot of these things are negotiating tactics that are used. I’m confident that with the investments that have already been made, going forward that they’re going to be successful.” At the moment, it doesn’t seems as if Trump’s actions will impact construction at the joint-venture Ford BlueOval SK Battery Park site in Kentucky, either.
Regardless, these moves figure to impact Ford in various ways, and both Executive Chairman Bill Ford and CEO Jim Farley has been quite vocal about Trump’s tariffs in recent weeks. After calling for more comprehensive tariffs and saying that these actions are causing “chaos” in the industry – adding that potential Mexico tariffs could “blow a hole in the U.S. industry that we’ve never seen” – the exec paid a visit to Capitol Hill last week to discuss these matters with the Trump administration. Following that visit, Farley voiced his support for Trump’s plan to place tariffs on all imported automobiles, regardless of where they’re coming from.
Comments
As well they should be. Notice the uneasy feeling that you feel throughout the day? Having trouble sleeping at night? Wondering if there will be a tomorrow? How about a future for your kids? This is what the majority voted for! Memories are short, apparently. Don’t really want to watch the evening news anymore? Buckle up my friends! It’s going to hard and bumpy ride for the next four years!
…cleaning-up the mess left from the previous four years.
No harder or bumpier than the last four years…
Mark –
You are a clown…find something better to do than comment on every Trump related post on here. We voted for this, and we overwhelmingly support this. Do you really still watch regime media? Wow…
Shawn-
You are a knuckle dragger.
These tariffs will also hurt Ford struggling stock, thanks to the tariffs Ford’s stock will probably drop from $9.43/share to less than $8.00/share. That might get Failure Farley fired.
Gas engines for Super Duties come from Canada, and diesels from Mexico. Those are just the most obvious and expensive of the thousands of components that go into the trucks, so yes, they are right to worry about the potential impact of tariffs.
Trump is unhinged and losing all touch with reality. Why do people think a man born into a wealthy family and wealthy all his life understand their daily struggles? He is a grifter. I am a conservative Republican and hated Biden but this guy is far worse than Biden could ever be.
I surely understand that noone wants the loss of a job hanging over their head. But, the tariffs are being used to bring jobs back to the States. These employees should be all over Farley to bring back manufacturing to the US. Case in point…Bronco Sport. Why are we (I’m a large stock holder) producing the complete vehicle in Mexico? Just my thoughts.
I’am sure most of those workers in Ky voted GOP, Karma baby.