--- title: "‘Let China Come In’ to US Auto Industry Trump Says While in Detroit: TDS" date: "2026-01-14" modified: "2026-01-14" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/let-china-come-in-to-us-auto-industry-trump-says-while-in-detroit-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # ‘Let China Come In’ to US Auto Industry Trump Says While in Detroit: TDS ![President Trump visiting the Dearborn Truck Plant]() *\Ford\  * Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Short, tight, and dense, *TDS* gathers all the headlines you need to know about from around the globe and places them in one spot. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. The first cup of coffee is gone, a second is needed, and it's -2 degrees outside with the windchill. Let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: I'm spending the week with the Lexus LS as a final goodbye before the large luxury flagship sedan exits production and the nameplate that disrupted an entire industry is retired later this year. 🇨🇳 While in Detroit, Michigan speaking to the Detroit Economic Club [President Trump said,]() "If they want to come in and build a plant and hire you and hire your friends and your neighbors, that's great, I love that," followed by "let China come in, let Japan come in;" Japanese automakers have auto factories in the U.S. today. 🇨🇦 Also in Detroit, Trump said USMCA is "irrelevant" to him and that Americans "don't need" Canadian products; Ford's about to start building Super Duty trucks in Canada, and GM already builds Silverados across the border. 🔌 GM CEO Mary [Barra admitted the truth about plug-in hybrids](): people "don't plug them in." 💰 The [2026 Mazda CX-5 will cost $31,485](), which is $940 more than the current model and $90 more than the CX-50. 🤑 [Tesla CEO Elon Musk said]() the automaker will stop selling its Full Self-Driving driver assist system for a one-time fee on February 14 and transition to a subscription model; no rationale was provided for the change. ⛑️ Ford plans to [donate five Bronco]()[s]() prepped for search and rescue duty. 👖 [Ford is teaming up with Carhartt]() to foster our "essential economy," according to the automaker's CEO Jim Farley. 🚙 Kia surprised enthusiasts with [a new K4 wagon with an available manual gearbox](), but don't hold your breath for this unicorn to come to America. 📈 The Mercedes-Benz G-Class just [had its best sales year ever](). 🧱 The Mattel Brick Shop and Hot Wheels added a [Custom '90 Honda Civic EF and an '07 Honda S2000]() to the lineup. *Have feedback on the formatting of TDS? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()