Ford Motor Company has suspended shipments of several vehicle models to China due to escalating trade tensions and retaliatory tariffs. This decision affects popular American-made vehicles such as the F-150 Raptor, Mustang, Michigan-assembled Bronco SUVs, and Kentucky-built Lincoln Navigators.
In a statement released on Friday, the automaker explained that it had adjusted exports from the U.S. to China in response to the current tariffs, which have reached up to 150 percent on some U.S.-manufactured vehicles. These steep duties have posed significant challenges for American carmakers trying to maintain a presence in the Chinese market.
Ford will continue to export engines and transmissions manufactured in the U.S. to China. However, the Lincoln Nautilus, which is locally manufactured in China, will remain unaffected by the export halt but will still face heavy tariff burdens.
Industry analysts warn that the volatile trade environment is severely impacting both automakers and parts suppliers. The Centre for Automotive Research projects that the 25 percent tariffs imposed on U.S. automotive imports will increase industry costs by approximately $108 billion by the end of 2025. Analysts caution that this financial toll will likely be borne not only by manufacturers but also by consumers through higher vehicle prices.
An internal Ford memo obtained by Reuters suggests that the company is considering potential price hikes on new vehicles to offset the long-term impact of tariffs. Although nearly 80 percent of Ford’s vehicles sold in the U.S. are manufactured domestically, the added cost pressures could prompt the company to adjust pricing strategies to maintain profitability in the face of trade uncertainty.
