Ford CEO Jim Farley has a query about President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China: Why cease there?

Farley stated in a convention name Wednesday that Trump’s selective method “doesn’t make sense.”

“Why are we having this dialog whereas Hyundai-Kia is importing 600,000 models within the U.S. with no incremental tariff? And why is Toyota in a position to import a half 1,000,000 automobiles within the U.S. with no incremental tariffs?” Farley questioned. “If we’re going to have a tariff coverage that lasts for a month, or no matter it’s going to be, years — it higher be complete for our trade. We will’t simply cherry decide one place or the opposite, as a result of it is a bonanza for our import rivals.”

In an announcement, Ford spokesperson Ian Thibodeau stated Farley “wasn’t calling for extra tariffs.”

“He was explaining that what’s presently on the desk would negatively have an effect on just some world automakers that import elements or automobiles from North America,” Thibodeau stated. “That, whereas corporations from Korea, Japan and Germany would be capable of proceed to import automobiles to the U.S. with out a related penalty.”

Farley’s extra protectionist considering comes at a difficult time for Ford.

The corporate introduced Wednesday that it misplaced greater than $5 billion on its EV program in 2024. Its electrical pickup truck, the F-150 Lightning, was outsold final yr by the Cybertruck. The corporate is growing a low-cost EV platform that could power a number of vehicles, nevertheless it’s nonetheless years away. And whereas the corporate beat Wall Avenue expectations for 2024, it forecasted a rougher yr forward.

Within the meantime, Ford confirmed it’s seeking to increase into providing “prolonged vary” hybrid powertrains (basically electrical automobiles with a gasoline generator on board) as a way to win over consumers who don’t wish to go all-in on battery energy.

However first, it has to navigate the chaos created by the Trump Administration.

Farley warned that the proposed 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada would trigger “billions of {dollars}” of trade income to be “worn out,” would have an “hostile impact on the U.S. jobs” within the auto sector, and would imply “increased costs” for patrons.

If these tariffs are applied and sustained — an enormous “if,” contemplating Trump has already punted the deadline to implement them a month — Farley stated they’d have a “devastating affect.”

And but, Farley stated he believes the administration is “dedicated to strengthening, not weakening our nation’s auto trade.”

“They perceive and admire how important our trade is to jobs, the economic system, our nationwide safety and the communities throughout our nation,” Farley stated.