Trump endorses call for boycott of Harley-Davidson motorcycles
AMERICAN ICON. A Harley-Davidson logo adorns a bike outside of the Harley-Davidson of New York City showroom store, June 25, 2018 in the Queens borough of New York City. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP
WASHINGTON, USA – US President Donald Trump endorsed calls Sunday, August 12, for a boycott of tariff-hit Harley-Davidson over its plans to move production of its iconic American motorcycles out of the country.
"Many @harleydavidson owners plan to boycott the company if manufacturing moves overseas. Great!" Trump tweeted.
"Most other companies are coming in our direction, including Harley competitors. A really bad move!"
Many @harleydavidson owners plan to boycott the company if manufacturing moves overseas. Great! Most other companies are coming in our direction, including Harley competitors. A really bad move! U.S. will soon have a level playing field, or better.
Trump has taken it personally since Wisconsin-based manufacturer – once a presidential favorite – announced on Monday, August 13, it is moving some production out of the US.
Harley-Davidson was targeted with EU tariffs after Trump imposed stiff duties on European steel and aluminum.
An array of US companies have complained they are being hurt by the administration's tariff policies.
But Trump has treated the issue as a loyalty test.
"I've done so much for you, and then this," Trump tweeted earlier this week. "Other companies are coming back where they belong! We won't forget, and neither will your customers or your now very HAPPY competitors!"
Last year, Harley-Davidson announced it would build a plant in Thailand after Trump pulled out of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, which would have abolished tariffs on their motorcycles across 40 percent of the world's economy.
The company has repeatedly described the Thailand factory, along with other overseas production, as vital to its long-term need to boost foreign markets to make up for sluggish sales in the US.
In January, Harley-Davidson announced it would close its Kansas City, Missouri assembly plant and consolidate jobs in York, Pennsylvania.
"A Harley-Davidson should never be built in another country-never!" Trump said earlier on Twitter. – Rappler.com
