Ford Motor Co. has stopped exporting its SUVs, pickup trucks, and sports cars to China due to retaliatory tariffs resulting from ongoing trade disputes under former President Donald Trump, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Friday. The company has recently suspended shipments of several models to the Chinese market, including the F-150 Raptors, Mustangs, Michigan-built Bronco SUVs, and Kentucky-made Lincoln Navigators. A statement released by Ford read, "We have adjusted exports from the U.S. to China in light of the current tariffs ".

The pause in exports is linked to rising tariffs, as China has responded to U.S. trade actions by targeting American vehicle imports.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Ford's export business to China is relatively small but still profitable. The company started sending some of its well-known models to China about ten years ago, partly to strengthen its brand presence among Chinese consumers. According to Vice Chairman John Lawler at a recent conference, Ford earned around $900 million in operating profit from its China operations last year.

While the export of fully assembled vehicles is on hold, Ford is expected to continue exporting U.S.-made engines and transmissions to China. Despite high tariffs, Ford is expected to keep shipping its Lincoln Nautilus model, which is built in China.

In 2024, the company exported around 5,500 vehicles, including Broncos, F-150s, Mustangs, and Navigators, to China, marking a significant drop from the previous average of over 20,000 vehicles per year. Although Ford has stopped sending fully assembled vehicles, sources familiar with the company’s operations say that shipments of U.S.-made engines and transmissions to China are still ongoing.