President Donald Trump has backed his decision to axe support for electric vehicles while touring a Ford manufacturing plant in the United States after he was heckled by a Ford worker.
The President toured Ford’s Dearborn factory in Michigan, where the iconic F-150 pick-up truck is manufactured.
During his time in Michigan, he took the opportunity to praise Ford’s continued development of new technology, as well as the nation’s economic recovery under his controversial tariffs.
Mr Trump, alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were guided around the assembly operations plant by Ford bosses Jim Farley and Bill Ford, and Plant Manager Corey Williams.
Ford has hosted every US President for the last 50 years, with the Blue Oval brand working with the government, regardless of political affiliation.
Speaking at the Ford factory in Dearborn, Michigan, President Trump said: “Just as I promised you, I’ve imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all foreign automobiles, I’m standing up for the American auto worker like no President has ever stood up before.
“Those tariffs are keeping the foreign auto workers down, but if they want to come in and build the plant and hire you, your friends and your neighbours, that’s great, I love that.
“Let China come in, let Japan come in. They are. And they’ll be building plants, but they’re using our labour. US auto factories are now seeing more than $70billion (£52billion) of new investment.”
President Donald Trump said auto tariffs imposed on foreign automakers had raised around $70billion
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FORD
President Trump noted that manufacturers were “going in the opposite direction”, but following his intervention, they were going back to the United States.
He added that much of the funding that was being reinvested in the US was being funnelled to the “car-making capital of the world” of Detroit.
The President later spoke with CBS News about his decision to axe the electric vehicle mandate and federal incentive, which granted drivers a $7,500 (£5,575) discount on a new EV.
He said: “I want electric, and I want gasoline, and I want hybrids – I want everything. But you were going to be forced, under the mandate, to buy an electric car in a very short period of time. I didn’t want that, and I ended that.”
President Trump was heckled by a worker during his tour of Ford’s Michigan factory
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Ford CEO Jim Farley, who has been the leading face of the brand during tumultuous times in recent years, highlighted that the automaker would be adding an affordable combustion truck in Tennessee.
He said Trump’s policies, including tariffs on foreign vehicle imports, were helping brands like Ford to expand their line-up of vehicles and support existing factories.
While touring the facility, a Ford worker was reportedly heard shouting at the President, with outlets stating he called Mr Trump a “paedophile protector”.
A White House spokesperson said the President gave an “appropriate and unambiguous response” to the heckling.
President Donald Trump praised Ford for its continued development of new vehicles
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A Ford representative said it would not “get into specific personnel matters”, adding that it was a “great event” for the President and its employees.
Bill Ford, executive chairman of the manufacturer, said Ford had a “great relationship” with the President, adding that he was responsible for doing “great work”.
“He, personally, is incredibly responsive every time we need something or call – and we very much appreciate it. We couldn’t be more excited. We’re adding market share. We’re growing as a company. We’re adding jobs,” Mr Ford said.