Ford CEO Demands Fair Rules Against Toyota and GM in Trade Talks

Ford's CEO is calling for fairness as three countries prepare to rework a major trade agreement that shapes how cars are built and sold across North America.

Ford CEO Jim Farley says he wants a "level playing field" — meaning equal rules for everyone — when it comes to how his company competes against rivals like Toyota and General Motors (GM). His concern is about imports (cars or car parts brought in from other countries) and whether some carmakers get an unfair advantage.

This matters because the USMCA (the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) is being renegotiated. This is a trade deal between the three countries that sets the rules for buying and selling goods — including cars — across their borders. Reopening it means the rules could change.

Why does this affect carmakers so much?

• Many vehicles sold in the US are built using parts and factories in Mexico and Canada.
• Trade rules decide how much it costs to move those cars and parts across borders (sometimes through tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods).
• If the rules favor some companies over others, it can change prices and profits.

For everyday people, these behind-the-scenes trade rules can eventually affect the price of new cars, where they're built, and how many jobs stay in the US versus moving abroad.

In short, Ford is pushing for trade rules that don't tilt the game toward its rivals. As talks move forward, the outcome could reshape the entire North American auto industry — and possibly your next car purchase.

This is an AI-generated summary. Read the original article at: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/02/ford-jim-farley-usmca.html