Amid European threats to response to US restrictions on European metal with counter-tariffs, American motorcycle brand Harley-Davidson made the decision to shift production of its bikes to Europe.
« We don’t want to punish, but that is the unfortunate consequence, that (US companies) will put pressure on the American administration to say hey, hold on a minute, this is not good for the American economy, » EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said.
Harley-Davidson’s announcement that the company is transferring its production surprised US President Donald Trump, who claimed that the manufacturer used the issue of tariffs as an excuse.
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…..
…. We are getting other countries to reduce and eliminate tariffs and trade barriers that have been unfairly used for years against our farmers, workers and companies. We are opening up closed markets and expanding our footprint. They must play fair or they will pay tariffs!
The American motorcycle brand’s decision was declared after Brussels’ retaliatory tariffs on US goods came into force on June 22. Commenting on the European restrictive measures, Malmstrom noted that some iconic American goods, such as Harley-Davidson bikes and Levi’s jeans, were intentionally hit in order to « make noise » and exert pressure on the US.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW
