Harley-Davidson's Plan to move manufacturing to Europe

[karl]

Always have I thought of Harley-Davidson Motorcycle builder was always the icon of America. This move is perhaps only a part of their product line, but understandably, this to be upsetting to President Trump.

Trump Says 'Surprised' by Harley-Davidson's Plan to Move Manufacturing to Europe © REUTERS / Yves Herman
US

03:32 26.06.2018Get short URL110

sputniknews.com/us/201806261065774329-trump-harley-davidson-surprise/

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said he was surprised by Harley-Davidson's decision to shift manufacturing of motorcycles to Europe and claimed the company used the issue of tariffs as an excuse.

"Surprised that Harley-Davidson, of all companies, would be the first to wave the White Flag.," Trump said via Twitter on Monday. "I fought hard for them and ultimately they will not pay tariffs selling into the EU, which has hurt us badly on trade, down $151 Billion. Taxes just a Harley excuse — be patient!"


​Earlier on Monday, Harley-Davidson announced that the new tariffs imposed by the European Union on US goods forced the company’s executives to shift production of some motorcycles to Europe.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a briefing that the European Union is trying to punish US workers, but assured the public that Trump is going to keep pushing for free and fair trade practices.

In March, the United States imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports, but suspended the tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the European Union as well as several other states. However, on May 31, the United States removed the exemption from Canadian, Mexican and EU imports.


Trump said in a statement on Friday that if the European Union does not remove tariffs and trade barriers against the United States soon, his administration will place a 20 percent tariff on all cars coming to the United States from the bloc.

Presenter

Karl

[JustJohn or JJ]

Karl,

   The statements that indicated this impressed the fact that all Harley's for sale in the USA will still be made in the USA. Only the ones intended to be sold overseas will be manufactured overseas.

An interesting challenge.

[JustJohn or JJ]

As of about an hour ago:



Trump threatens Harley-Davidson: If it moves operations overseas, 'they will be taxed like never before!'


Evelyn Cheng

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Harley-Davidson will be "taxed like never before" if they move production overseas, and that the U.S. motorcycle company was using increased trade tensions as an excuse to justify planned changes in manufacturing.

"A Harley-Davidson should never be built in another country-never! Their employees and customers are already very angry at them. If they move, watch, it will be the beginning of the end - they surrendered, they quit! The Aura will be gone and they will be taxed like never before!" Trump said in a tweet.

"Early this year Harley-Davidson said they would move much of their plant operations in Kansas City to Thailand," Trump said in another tweet. "That was long before Tariffs were announced. Hence, they were just using Tariffs/Trade War as an excuse."

On Monday, Harley said it was moving some production overseas due to increased costs from the EU's retaliatory tariffs against the Trump administration's duties on steel and aluminum from the bloc. No production will be moving to Europe as a result of the tariffs, according to the company. Harley's overseas manufacturing plants are located in countries such as Brazil, India, Australia and Thailand.

Shares fell 1 percent in premarket trading Tuesday after falling nearly 6 percent Monday.

Trump said Monday in a tweet he was "surprised" by Harley's decision. He publicly thanked Harley-Davidson early last year for "building things in America" and criticized other companies for moving production outside the U.S.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and the rest of the world have increased in the last several months.

"Harley must know that they won't be able to sell back into U.S. without paying a big tax!" Trump said in another tweet Tuesday.

[karl]

J.J.

Thank you for your reply, as well as a following reply of presentation. Mr. Trump talks big, but lacks experience with his rhetoric. For as a seemingly smart business man, he seems to display ignorance how the real world operates in international trade and relations.
He has very well in past to the present, talked big on keeping all things American for the American worker. What he misunderstands, is yes, the products are made in America, but many of the components are imported from over seas. It is the manner of over seas trade.

The fact of the manner, Mr. Trump appears to be out of his zone of competence and is bit by bit destroying the prestige of the country he serves. With this, the bridges of friendship built over the many years between Europe and America are being destroyed.

speaking for my self and perhaps other Europeans, America is still admired, but the same is not for Mr. Trump. Once the presidentual time is over for him {Trump}, perhaps America can do much better with the next president.

As a person in regards to the American choice of presidents, my self holds no vested interest, only the results of their decisions that effect Europe.

Karl

[karl]

Jun 26, 2018 4:41:18 GMT -7 JustJohn or JJ said:

Karl,

   The statements that indicated this impressed the fact that all Harley's for sale in the USA will still be made in the USA. Only the ones intended to be sold overseas will be manufactured overseas.

An interesting challenge.

J.J.

Yours and my impression is the same. It makes good sense, to in the stead of shipping cost and related regional standards, to manufacture in the location of customer base. With this, to create local opportunity for those in that respective work force.

Karl