President Donald Trump visited the Ford Motor Company assembly plant in Dearborn, Michigan, on Tuesday, using the opportunity to provide his perspective on the ongoing shortage of skilled mechanics at the automaker. Currently, Ford has approximately 5,000 mechanic positions open and unfilled. Rather than viewing this as a challenge, the president characterized the situation as evidence of a robust and expanding economy.
"That's a good thing, Tony," Trump stated in an interview with CBS News conducted onsite. "That means it's vibrant." His remarks came as part of a broader discussion around the state of manufacturing and employment in the region.
At the Ford facility, where assembly lines for gas and hybrid Ford F-150 trucks operate, Trump toured the production environment and reiterated his administration's commitment to policies that he argues favor domestic manufacturing. Central to this message was his sustained support of tariff policies which he credited for strengthening Michigan's economy and, by extension, the entire country.
Speaking to the Detroit Economic Club later the same day, Trump described the current tariffs as "historic" and asserted that predictions from critics forecasting negative outcomes have not materialized. "It's tariffs that are making money for Michigan and the entire country," he declared, emphasizing the perceived economic benefits tied to protectionist trade measures.
When questioned directly about the unfilled mechanic roles at Ford, Trump's response focused on the anticipated increase in automation within manufacturing. "You’re going to have a thing called robots, and robots are going to be a big factor. I predict that robots are going to be a big factor in the future and it's going to help out," he said, suggesting that technological advancement will help alleviate labor shortages.
In parallel to these developments, Ford has undertaken initiatives to address workforce gaps. Reports indicate the company has partnered with workwear manufacturer Carhartt in a multi-year collaboration aimed at training new technicians and improving the public perception of skilled trade work. Key elements of this partnership include the establishment of a ToolBank USA location in Detroit, which supplies tools to workers and volunteers, outfitting Ford’s automotive technology scholars with branded Carhartt gear, and launching jointly branded public products, all designed to bolster recruitment and retention.
Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, has previously spoken about the critical nature of these labor shortages on a national scale. On a podcast in November, he highlighted the difficulty of filling over a million positions across various skilled roles including emergency services, trucking, manufacturing, plumbing, and electrical trades. Farley described the situation as very serious, echoing widespread concerns about the availability of qualified workers.
In contrast to such concerns, President Trump attributed the scarcity of workers to rapid economic expansion. "We’re expanding so rapidly that we need people," he stated during the CBS News interview, adding that this growth is translating into substantial earnings for workers. He also mentioned retraining efforts involving former federal employees, who are transitioning into private sector jobs with salaries two to three times higher than their previous federal compensation. Trump said that multiple regional training programs are already in progress nationwide to address workforce demands.
Beyond workforce and trade policy discussions, Trump touched on broader economic indicators and trends including inflation, electric vehicles, and skepticism toward the Federal Reserve's actions. Throughout these remarks, he underscored a recurring theme, emphasizing a resurgence in economic performance. "Our country is rocketing right now," he asserted. "We have the hottest country in the world."
While some stakeholders express concern that automation may displace skilled labor, others are focusing on technological opportunities that enhance productivity and generate new business models. For example, startups like Rad AI employ artificial intelligence to streamline operations such as content creation, transforming complicated workflows into rapid, high-return outcomes. The company has recently made its shares available to investors at $0.85 each through a Regulation A+ offering, reflecting the growing intersection of AI technologies within various sectors.
Overall, President Trump's visit to the Ford plant served to emphasize a continuation of his administration’s approach to promoting domestic economic growth. He appeared to downplay fears raised by labor shortages and trade tensions, instead advocating for embracing forthcoming technological innovations such as robotics and AI as integral elements of the country’s industrial future.