President Donald Trump has been clear about his tariff policy: Build in America, pay less tariffs. At least one American car manufacturer has decided to go all-in on Trump’s plan. On April 29, Trump signed an executive order softening some of his automotive tariffs to prevent American car manufacturers from facing “stacking” penalties, such as an additional 25% tariff on steel and aluminum. “I find that the modified system will more effectively eliminate the national security threat because it will more quickly reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing and importation of automobiles and automobile parts; strengthen United States vehicle assembly operations by encouraging companies to expand domestic production capacity,” Trump said. NEW: @POTUS just signed an executive order to avoid the cumulative effect of overlapping tariffs on certain articles, such as automobiles and automobile parts. Here is the text of the order: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the… — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 29, 2025 He added that this “is critical to a strong domestic defense industrial base; shift manufacturing activity into the United States; increase domestic automotive research and development so that American-owned producers can produce cutting-edge technologies that are essential to the United States defense industrial base and our military superiority; create jobs in the automotive industry that increase the number of employees in the domestic automotive industry; and ensure that other benefits of production are concentrated in the United States.” (Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!) The original 25% tariff on imported vehicles and the 25% tariff on auto parts that went into effect on May 3 will continue. However, vehicles that go through final assembly in the U.S. can qualify for some relief on those tariffs for two years. Over the next two years, the Trump administration will reimburse qualifying manufacturers that use the U.S. for their final assembly destination. These manufacturers can potentially receive an amount equal to 3.75% of the value of a U.S.-made car assembled by May 1, 2026. Additionally, the Trump administration allows these manufacturers to receive a lowered reimbursement of 2.5% of the car’s value until April 30, 2027. The goal here is to bring high-quality industrial jobs back to the U.S. @POTUS is interested in the jobs of the future, not the jobs of the past. pic.twitter.com/vxsFVJ8Wps — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) April 29, 2025 This will allow car manufacturers the time to build the necessary infrastructure in the U.S. to eventually ensure all vehicles sold in the U.S. are 100% built in American manufacturing plants. On Wednesday, Ford CEO Jim Farley told Fox News Business that Ford supports Trump’s tariff plan because it’s the “right thing to do.” “We [Ford] think this is really great for the country,” Farley said. “We really support the President’s initiative. We never left America on car production, and so this moderation is reasonable, I think, for mostly our competitors. They need more time, but at Ford, we are in good shape. And this is the right thing to do. We really appreciate the dialogue we’ve had with the President, but we have a lot more work to do with him and the team,” he continued. (ROOKE: One Of Trump’s Former Critics Has Turned Into The Admin’s Greatest Workhorse) “First of all, 50% of vehicles sold in the United States are imported. They come through our ports,” he said. “Just 30 years ago, it was 90% made here.” Trump’s moderation on levying car parts by 10-15% over the next two years to make vehicles more affordable and give manufacturers time to build American-made supply chains could bring back millions of jobs, according to Farley. Still, it all depends on whether car manufacturers change their commitment to America. That’s really the crux of the situation. While Trump does want to upend the broken trade agreements with foreign countries and companies that see American jobs and industries move overseas. At the base of his plan is to take American manufacturing off life support. .@SecScottBessent: “President Trump has secured more investment for our country in 100 days than President Biden did during all four years.” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VsycohMNVc — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 5, 2025 As it stands, it’s dying. If he does nothing, Americans will make nothing and depend on foreign products. Not only will this see our middle class continue slipping away and widening the already growing wealth gap between the top earners and the rest of Americans, but it’s also a massive national security issue for Americans to rely on foreign countries to produce our necessities in times of war or economic hardship. (ROOKE: If You’re Looking For Evidence Of The Media Screwing Over America, Look No Further) Trump has been straight with Americans and foreign countries since the campaign trail. Under his administration, his policies will work to bring the U.S. back to its superpower status. We will be more than a globalist economic dumping ground filled with consumers. We will build wealth, financial stability, and the American Dream for all Americans. It’s reassuring that Ford, under Farley’s direction, supports Trump’s plan. Follow Mary Rooke on X: @MaryRooke