America’s best-selling truck, the Ford F-150, caught in the crossfire as Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs drive up prices and slash profits

President Trump’s reinstated tariffs on steel and aluminum imports threaten to drive up costs for America’s bestselling vehicle—the Ford F-150 pickup truck—as automakers scramble to absorb price hikes. The 25% levy on foreign steel and aluminum, effective immediately, targets materials critical for vehicle production.

Are domestic supply chains getting strained?

Aluminum, used heavily in modern cars to reduce weight and boost fuel efficiency, poses a particular challenge. Ford’s F-150 and Super Duty trucks rely on aluminum for doors, hoods, and truck beds, but most high-quality aluminum sheets start as imports, leaving domestic supply chains strained.

Analysts warn the tariffs could add roughly $400 to the cost of building each vehicle, pressuring automakers to pass expenses to consumers. Ford stockpiled aluminum ahead of the tariffs but faces long-term hurdles. While its U.S. rolling mills process aluminum, suppliers depend on Canadian smelters for raw materials. Rewiring supply chains to source more American-made aluminum could take years, a Ford spokesperson acknowledged, noting offsets for added costs would be difficult to secure.


The F-150, the top-selling US vehicle and Ford’s profit leader, underscores the industry’s vulnerability. A decade ago, Ford shifted its trucks to aluminum bodies to meet efficiency standards, a move now complicated by shrinking domestic production. With car prices already elevated, the tariffs risk inflating costs further, squeezing buyers and automakers alike. As trade policies reshape manufacturing, the ripple effects could extend beyond pickups, testing the resilience of the entire auto sector.