DETROIT, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Ford Motor ( F ) CEO Jim

Farley said U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed and

implemented tariffs have added "a lot of cost and a lot of

chaos," although Farley said he believes the president aims to

strengthen the American auto industry overall.

The automaker is considering areas in which it can build up

inventory to prepare for potential 25% tariffs on imports from

Mexico and Canada, executives said at an analyst conference

Tuesday. Trump planned to initiate these duties earlier this

month, before delaying them until March.

Ford is not significantly exposed to increased tariffs on

steel and aluminum, which Trump raised Monday. The auto company

gets most of these materials from the U.S., executives said,

although it expects to absorb some cost from suppliers who are

more affected.

"President Trump has talked a lot about making our U.S.,

auto industry stronger, bringing more production here, more

innovation to the U.S., and if this administration can achieve

that, it would be one of the most signature accomplishments. So

far, what we're seeing is a lot of cost and a lot of chaos,"

Farley said.