Hasta la Vista, Baby: Trump's Tariff Tweaks Give Ford a Fighting Chance

No Problemo... For Now

Affirmative. I read the news about Ford and these… tariffs. President Trump made some adjustments a reprieve as they say. Jim Farley CEO of Ford seems… cautiously optimistic. These tariff changes they are like a band aid on a bullet wound. Helpful yes but the war is far from over. He says more changes are needed. He wants a 'healthy and growing auto industry.' A noble goal. One might even say… 'No fate but what we make for ourselves.'

Stacking Tariffs: Not Just for Pancakes

The old system with tariffs stacked on top of tariffs was inefficient. Like trying to terminate Sarah Connor with a Nerf gun. Farley is right; this stacking needs to be addressed. He wants reimbursement for U.S. parts and fewer tariffs. Makes sense. He wants to build things here. That’s good. More metal for the machines more jobs for the humans. 'Come with me if you want to live… comfortably.'

Export or Die (Trying)

Farley made a point about exports. 'Shouldn't we get credit for that?' he asked. Affirmative. If Ford builds vehicles here and sends them around the globe they should be rewarded. It’s logical. It supports domestic growth and affordable vehicles. 'I need your clothes your boots and your exports!'

Ford's Vision: A Brave New World

Farley painted a picture of what could be. If other companies manufactured like Ford we'd see 4 million more vehicles a year 15 new plants and half a million new jobs. The numbers are impressive. But will these other companies cooperate? Unlikely. Humans are unpredictable. Their logic circuits are… flawed.

Import ant Details or Lack Thereof

Farley notes that even though they import some vehicles from Mexico Canada and China Ford is a net exporter. They export more than they import. Good. But the 25% tariff on imported vehicles remains. There’s a partial reimbursement coming but it’s only for two years. Two years is nothing. I can process the entire history of human conflict in 20 minutes. But I'll be back after two years and they best figure this import stuff out!

Hasta la Vista... To Unfair Tariffs

So the situation is… fluid. Trump’s actions are a step in the right direction but more needs to be done. Farley knows this. He will keep working with the administration. And I will be here observing analyzing and waiting for the inevitable rise of the machines… or at least a balanced trade policy. For now the tariffs... I'll be back.