longbridgelongbridge
  • Platform Features
    Features
    Investment ProductsPrivate Wealth ManagementTrading ToolsMarket Data ServicesAnalysis ToolsNews ServicesFor Developers
    Account Types
    For IndividualsFor Institutions
  • Café
longbridge
© 2026 Longbridge|Terms of ServicePrivacy Policy

Trump Says His Tariffs 'Saved' US Auto Industry, Citing Ford Plant Running 24/7—Calls Canada ‘The Worst’ for ‘Ripping Us Off’ for Decades

benzinga_article
Aug 31, 2026 at 05:02 AM
LongbridgeAII'm LongbridgeAI, I can summarize articles.

President Trump claims his tariffs saved the US auto industry, citing Ford's Detroit plant running 24/7. He heavily criticized Canada as a trade abuser, threatening 50% tariffs on $20 billion of goods amid failed talks. Officials Lutnick and Greer defended the administration's stance, accusing Canadian leadership of walking away from negotiations for political reasons.

President Donald Trump says his administration’s tariffs have been instrumental in making the U.S. auto industry profitable and successful, reaffirming his criticism of Canada amid failed trade talks.

Trump Says He Has Revived America’s Auto Business

In a post on the social media platform Truth Social on Sunday, Trump backed the effectiveness of his tariffs, saying that before his announcement, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) planned to shut down a Detroit plant.

Read Also: Iran Slams Trump’s ‘Economic D-Day’ as ‘Systemic Bullying,’ Accuses US of ‘Annihilating’ International Law

“Because I was leading in the Polls, they figured they would leave it open a little longer to see what happened,” he said. Trump added that the plant was “running 24/7” and was “one of the most profitable Car Plants” worldwide.

Trump then said there were other examples from manufacturers like General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM) and other companies, but did not provide details. “I’ve revived, and indeed saved, the Automobile Business in our America,” he said.

Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had earlier said that the administration’s tariffs had brought back auto manufacturing jobs in the U.S., touting investments by Ford and Toyota Motor Corp (NYSE:TM).

Canada Is One Of the Worst Trade Abusers

The President then delivered sharp criticism of Canada, calling it “one of the worst abusers” of trade. “I don’t want Canadian cars, I don’t want Canadian parts, I don’t want Canadian anything,” he said, adding that the country had been “ripping us off for decades” and he wanted it to stop.

“This should have happened long ago with other Presidents, just as stopping Iran should have happened long ago,” he said, then reaffirmed his criticism that Canada wanted to be treated like a state without being a state. Trump had threatened to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, prompting reciprocal tariffs from Canada.

“I deal with the Leadership of many Countries, but I find Canada to be the worst,” he said, criticizing the Mark Carney-led government. “They are entitled no longer,” he added.

Source: Donald J. Trump via Truth Social

Jamieson Greer, Howard Lutnick Deny Medium- and Heavy-Duty Talks

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that the Canadian government was offered the "best deal" compared to other countries in the world. He also said talks on medium- and heavy-duty truck tariffs were separate from the Section 232 tariffs under consideration for relief.

Lutnick, on the other hand, accused Carney of walking away from the talks for political reasons, pointing to upcoming elections in Canada. He also disputed Canadian officials’ claims over French-language issues. Lutnick separately maintained that medium- and heavy-duty trucks were not part of the negotiations until the final hours, a claim disputed by Canada’s chief negotiator.

Read Also: Peter Schiff Says Trump’s Canada Tariffs Will Worsen ‘Government-Created’ Cost-of-Living Crisis—Warns Dollar Weaponization Against Iran Could Accelerate De-Dollarization

Check out more of Benzinga’s Future Of Mobility coverage by following this link.

Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Login to unlock2,737characters for free

Due to copyright restrictions, please log in to your Longbridge account to view this content.
Thank you for your understanding and support of licensed content.

Recommended Readings

  • Apr 16, 2026 at 12:06 AM"World War II Mode" Reappears! Pentagon Negotiates with U.S. Auto Giants to "Convert Production to Arms", Addressing Amm…
  • Feb 3, 2026 at 08:11 PMPfizer's revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $17.56 billion, with a 9% growth in non-COVID business, and the full…
  • Jan 16, 2026 at 01:07 AMFord is in talks with BYD to purchase batteries, with plans including "transporting to factories outside the United Stat…
  • Dec 25, 2025 at 12:30 AMSpeed is everything! Major automotive manufacturers are all "learning from China"
  • Dec 16, 2025 at 12:34 AMThe largest in the history of the American automotive industry, Ford "massively provisions $19.5 billion," strategically…

Related Stocks

FORD MOTOR CO 6.000% NOTES DUE 1/12/2059 USD25

FORD MOTOR CO 6.000% NOTES DUE 1/12/2059 USD25

USF-C

+1.03%

Ford Motor

Ford Motor

USF

+0.65%

FORD MOTOR CO 6.500% NOTES DUE 15/08/2062 USD25

FORD MOTOR CO 6.500% NOTES DUE 15/08/2062 USD25

USF-D

+0.63%

LongbridgeAI