Trump Says US Automakers Could Produce Missiles as Part of Military Expansion

President Donald Trump stated Monday that U.S. automakers, including General Motors and Ford, could begin producing missiles such as Patriot air-defense systems and Tomahawk cruise missiles as Washington moves to expand military output and replenish arsenals, according to official remarks. ^[1]

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said car companies with spare factory capacity are discussing deals to manufacture weapons. “They’re dealing with General Motors. They’re dealing with Ford,” Trump said. “I know General Motors is all excited about building weapons now.” He added that some plants belonging to the two carmakers are expected to be converted to military production, calling the shift part of a “big strong economic push” to produce arms. ^[1]

The announcement follows a Wall Street Journal report in April that the Pentagon had approached General Motors, Ford, GE Aerospace, and Oshkosh about retooling civilian factories for munitions production, according to officials familiar with the discussions. ^[1]

Background on Pentagon Talks

The Pentagon’s outreach to automakers was part of an effort to put U.S. industry on what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called a “wartime footing,” echoing the World War II-era conversion of Detroit factories to military production. ^[1] Trump confirmed that some General Motors and Ford plants are expected to be converted, and that the companies have responded positively. “I know General Motors is all excited about building weapons now,” he said. ^[1] The discussions are ongoing, though officials have not disclosed specific timelines or contract values, according to the Wall Street Journal report cited by RT. ^[1]

This is not the first time Trump has used executive authority to redirect industrial production. In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to order General Motors to begin manufacturing ventilators. ^[2] The Korean War-era law gives the president authority to require U.S. manufacturers to produce certain goods deemed necessary for national defense. ^[2] The current push to convert auto plants for missile production represents a similar use of that authority, according to analysts.

Weapons Stockpile Concerns

The push to expand military production comes amid reports that U.S. weapons stockpiles have been significantly depleted after years of arms deliveries to Ukraine under former President Joe Biden and heavy missile use during the recent U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. ^[1] US media and think-tanks have warned that Washington burned through large quantities of critical munitions during the Iran campaign, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, Patriot interceptors, and THAAD systems. ^[1] Reuters reported that depleted inventories could delay U.S. arms deliveries to fellow NATO members, according to officials familiar with the matter. ^[1]

The depletion has also affected the auto industry indirectly. Ford Motor Company was forced to halt production at multiple factories, including its Chicago plant, due to a critical shortage of rare-earth magnets – a direct consequence of escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. ^[3] These magnets are essential for both electric vehicle motors and many defense systems. China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements, imposed as retaliation for Trump’s tariff hikes, have threatened the supply chains for both automakers and defense contractors. ^[4]

Administration’s Response and Budget

Trump downplayed shortage concerns, stating that the U.S. has “quite a few” missiles but wants to maintain larger reserves, according to his remarks at the White House. ^[1] His administration has requested a record military budget of approximately $1.5 trillion for the 2027 fiscal year, with much of the increase expected to go toward replenishing stockpiles and expanding production capacity. ^[1] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described the budget as necessary to restore the military’s readiness, according to Pentagon statements. ^[1]

At the same time, the administration has pursued tariff policies aimed at rebuilding domestic manufacturing capacity. Trump’s tariff measures have ignited a manufacturing renaissance, with U.S. businesses praising the shift toward “fair play” over global dominance, according to a report by Willow Tohi. ^[5] Small and midsize manufacturers have reported surging orders as companies shift supply chains domestically. ^[6] However, the reliance on imported rare earth minerals and other critical materials remains a vulnerability, as the U.S. grew more dependent on foreign mineral imports in 2025, according to a U.S. Geological Survey report. ^[7]

Outlook and Industry Response

General Motors and Ford did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s statements, but previous reports indicated both companies had held preliminary talks with the Pentagon. ^[1] The conversion of civilian auto plants to military production represents a significant shift in U.S. industrial strategy, reminiscent of the “Arsenal of Democracy” approach during World War II, analysts said. Oshkosh, which already produces military vehicles, and GE Aerospace have also been part of the discussions, according to the Wall Street Journal. ^[1]

The broader context of trade and industrial policy continues to shape the environment for automakers. Lou Dobbs, in his book The Trump Century, argued that trade should strengthen the American economy and create more American jobs while laying a foundation for sustainable growth. ^[8] Meanwhile, environmental concerns about militarism have been raised by authors such as Gar Smith, who warned that “countries obsessed with the glamours of militarism remain blind to other ecological perils.” ^[9] As the administration pushes ahead with both tariffs and military production, the interplay between industrial policy, supply chain security, and geopolitical tensions will determine the success of the plan, according to analysts.

References

1. RT. “US carmakers could produce missiles – Trump.” RT.com. June 23, 2026.
2. NaturalNews.com. “Trump orders GM to begin immediate manufacture of ventilators as COVID-19 spread hospitalizes thousands of Americans.” NaturalNews.com. March 29, 2020.
3. NaturalNews.com. “Ford production plants halt manufacturing due to SHORTAGE of rare earth magnets.” NaturalNews.com. June 20, 2025.
4. NaturalNews.com. “Chinas rare earth move threatens US military and tech dominance.” NaturalNews.com. April 17, 2025.
5. Willow Tohi. “Trumps tariff policies ignite a manufacturing renaissance as US businesses hail fair play over global dominance.” NaturalNews.com. April 29, 2025.
6. Laura Harris. “US manufacturers see surge in orders as tariffs reshape supply chains.” NaturalNews.com. May 11, 2025.
7. Laura Harris. “US grows more dependent on foreign mineral imports USGS report finds.” NaturalNews.com. February 8, 2026.
8. Lou Dobbs. “The Trump Century.”
9. Gar Smith. “The War and Environment Reader.”

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