President Donald Trump on Tuesday lambasted Harley-Davidson’s decision to shift some of its production to Mexico and threatened that the motorbike manufacturer will be “taxed like never before” if it moves production overseas.
He claimed that the iconic U.S. company was using increased trade tensions as an excuse to justify 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.
Trump’s rant came after the company announced it will be shifting production of its motorcycles that are headed to Europe in order to avoid paying a 25 percent tariff on its way into the European market. Brussels levied that penalty in response to Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
Harley-Davidson said the duties mean an increased cost of $2,200 on each motorcycle heading into Europe, which is the company’s largest market.
Here’s Trump’s response to their move:
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
