United States President Donald Trump on Sunday supported the move to boycott bike manufacturing company Harley-Davidson Inc over its plans to shift production out of the country.
The US-based company in June said it had decided to shift some of its production units out of the country to avoid Europe’s tariffs on motorcycle imports. Europe had raised tariffs in retaliation to Trump imposing hefty tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the Europe Union, Canada and Mexico.
On Sunday, Trump said that many owners of Harley-Davidson bikes were planning to boycott the company if manufacturing moves overseas. “Great! Most other companies are coming in our direction, including Harley competitors,” the president tweeted. “A really bad move! US will soon have a level playing field, or better.”
Harley-Davidson has declined to comment on Trump’s remarks. Last month, the company’s chief executive Matthew Levatich told CNBC that the firm’s preference “in all cases is to supply the world from the United States”.
In June, the company told the US Securities and Exchange Commission that the European Union’s reaction to Trump’s steel tariffs, which will add $2,200 (Rs 1.5 lakh) to the average cost of a motorcycle exported from the United States to Europe, will cost it up to $100 million (Rs 682 crore) more over the next two years.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!