Harley-Davidson announced on Monday that it was shifting U.S. operations overseas to avoid retaliatory tariffs from the European Union (EU). Under the 32% levy, it would cost the company $2,200 more to produce a motorcycle and raise its annual expenditures by as much as $100 million.
This didn’t please President Donald Trump.
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Trump slammed the iconic biker brand, exclaiming that a Harley-Davidson should never be built in any other country ever again because it “surrendered” and “quit.” He added that the company is just using the trade war as an excuse.
He tweeted:
Early this year Harley-Davidson said they would move much of their plant operations in Kansas City to Thailand. That was long before Tariffs were announced. Hence, they were just using Tariffs/Trade War as an excuse. Shows how unbalanced & unfair trade is, but we will fix it…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2018
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2018
“Early this year Harley-Davidson said they would move much of their plant operations in Kansas City to Thailand. That was long before Tariffs were announced. Hence, they were just using Tariffs/Trade War as an excuse. Shows how unbalanced & unfair trade is, but we will fix it…..”
“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!”
Harley-Davidson’s move was predictable.
That said, the president may have somewhat of a point on this one because of two things: Harley-Davidson users are dedicated to the brand and they are also likely diehard supporters of President Trump.
If Harley-Davidson is leaving the country, raising prices, or responding negatively to Trump, then customers will react.
You might expect Harley-Davidson to reverse course if it gets out of hand.
Well as long as they leave the American Flag behind– See ya profit pussies