Here's a tricky situation for Ford Motor Co. (F): asking for a little help with tariffs after a supplier disaster, and getting a "no" from the top. President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected requests from Ford and other U.S. automakers for tariff relief on aluminum, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Tuesday. This comes amid supply chain headaches caused by a fire last year at a major supplier's plant.
The report, citing unnamed sources, notes that the automaker hasn't requested relief in a "particularly pronounced way." Officials from the Trump administration stressed that automakers have received relief from some national security tariffs and that discussions on aluminum are part of larger negotiations between the White House and the industry. Ford and the White House didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from MarketDash.
So, what's the backstory? The fire incident took place at Novelis Inc.'s (NVL) plant in Oswego, New York, in September 2025. It was a big deal—over 40% of the facility was rendered unable to process aluminum. This has caused major headwinds in production for the Ford F-150 pickup truck. It's not just Ford feeling the pinch, either. The Detroit-based automaker Stellantis N.V. (STLA) also faced disruptions, specifically in the production of the Jeep Wagoneer SUV.
Novelis's plant supplied aluminum to a roster of other manufacturers too, including Toyota Motor Corp (TM), Volkswagen AG (VWAGY), and Hyundai Motor Co. (HYMLF). So, the supply crunch has rippled across the industry.
This tariff news lands as Ford is navigating some rough sales terrain. The company recently reported its Q1 2026 sales data, selling a total of 457,315 units. That's an 8.8% year-over-year decline. Breaking it down: SUV sales dropped 7.8% in the quarter, and EV sales took a nearly 35% hit. Not the numbers you want to see when you're also dealing with supply constraints.
On a more forward-looking note, Ford CEO Jim Farley has shared that the company plans to develop an all-electric vehicle to compete with Tesla Inc.'s (TSLA) Model Y and Model 3. Those Tesla models have consistently dominated U.S. EV sales charts, so it's a clear target for Ford's electric ambitions.
As for the stock, Ford (F) was down 0.78% at market close on Tuesday to $11.52 per share, but bounced back 2.09% to $11.76 during the after-hours session.
