Trump says he’s ‘surprised’ Harley-Davidson is waving the 'white flag’ on trade
President Trump on Monday went after Harley-Davidson in the wake of reports that the company is moving some production out of the United States due to the recently announced retaliatory tariffs by the European Union.
“Surprised that Harley-Davidson, of all companies, would be the first to wave the White Flag,” Trump tweeted. “I fought hard for them and ultimately they will not pay tariffs selling into the E.U., which has hurt us badly on trade, down $151 Billion. Taxes just a Harley excuse – be patient! #MAGA.”
Surprised that Harley-Davidson, of all companies, would be the first to wave the White Flag. I fought hard for them and ultimately they will not pay tariffs selling into the E.U., which has hurt us badly on trade, down $151 Billion. Taxes just a Harley excuse - be patient! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 25, 2018
“Harley’s announcement came as an unintended consequence of the Trump administration’s efforts to protect American jobs by levying tariffs, including duties on imports of European steel and aluminum,” notes CNBC.
The EU, in response, imposed tariffs on $3.2 billion worth of US goods, including motorcycles, bourbon, motorboats and cigarettes.
Amid escalating trade tensions, Trump continues to intensify his rhetoric on tariffs.
“Based on the Tariffs and Trade Barriers long placed on the U.S. & its great companies and workers by the European Union, if these Tariffs and Barriers are not soon broken down and removed, we will be placing a 20% Tariff on all of their cars coming into the U.S. Build them here!” Trump tweeted on Friday.
