Ford CEO calls for skilled trades investments as China export rules cause plant shutdowns

Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley called on U.S. companies to invest in skilled trades, manufacturing and other "essential economy" jobs in an effort to boost productivity and reduce reliance on China, as the Dearborn, Michigan, automaker has idled plants because of challenges in obtaining rare-earth materials from the Asian nation. Ford will host a Ford Pro Accelerate summit this fall at Ford's Michigan Central Station in Detroit on how to strengthen construction, service and maintenance, agriculture, energy and skilled trades industries. Ford spokesperson Dan Barbossa said the event is...