Ford CEO Jim Farley said Chinese automakers should not be allowed to sell their vehicles in the US – warning the competition would decimate domestic car brands.
In his gravest warning yet, the exec argued that the US should maintain its current tariffs of 100% on Chinese carmakers, effectively blocking their vehicles from American roads.
“We should not let them into our country,” Farley said during a Monday appearance on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”
“Manufacturing is the heart and soul of our country and for us to lose that to those exports would be devastating to our country.”
Affordable, high-tech cars from Chinese brands like BYD and Xiaomi have been racing ahead throughout the rest of the world – even unseating Elon Musk’s Tesla as the world’s top electric vehicle seller.
In Mexico, BYD accounts for seven out of 10 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles sold there, while Canada recently signed a deal with China to import 49,000 cars annually.
“I sure hope we don’t allow them to come across the border,” Farley said, nodding to Canada’s deal with Chinese automakers.
He added that efforts to keep Chinese cars out of America should have a “big impact” on upcoming talks to rework the trade deal between the US, Canada and Mexico.
Asked for comment Tuesday, the White House did not directly address The Post’s inquiry about whether the administration is planning to lower tariffs on Chinese automakers.
“No president has done more to revive the American auto industry than President Trump, who has championed an aggressive agenda of auto tariffs, rapid deregulation, tax cuts, and even a new tax deduction on interest payments for Made-in-USA autos,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement.
“The Trump administration will continue to prioritize America’s national and economic security.”
Farley argued that the “huge direct support” Chinese automakers receive from their government allows them to sell vehicles at low prices, giving them a huge advantage over foreign rivals.
“There is no way this is a fair fight,” he said Monday.
The top Ford executive also warned that an influx of high-tech Chinese vehicles could come with national security risks.
“All of these vehicles have 10 cameras,” Farley said. “They can collect a lot of data.”
In January, Trump told the Detroit Economic Club he would be willing to “let China come in” as long as they build factories in the US and hire American workers.
Farley spoke with White House officials about the issue, arguing that Chinese companies should be required to form joint ventures and hand controlling stakes to US automakers in order to sell their vehicles here, according to a Bloomberg report.
Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing next month for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
BYD dethroned Tesla as the world’s largest EV seller last year.
In the first two months of 2026, Tesla’s China sales regained some traction while BYD dipped – but there’s still no sign that Musk’s company is on track to fully make up those losses.
BYD has been churning out inexpensive, innovative products, like 5-minute charging for 250 miles of range and an assisted driving system called “God’s Eye.”
Tesla, meanwhile, has been struggling to sell an aging car lineup amid tough competition and brand damage from Musk’s involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency.
Investors have also grown concerned over Musk’s focus on robotics and AI products instead of vehicle sales.
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