Former President Donald Trump sent a bold message to agricultural manufacturing giant John Deere on Monday, threatening to impose a massive 200% tariff if the company moves production to Mexico.
Trump’s remarks came during a policy roundtable in Smithton, Pennsylvania, hosted by the Protecting America Initiative, where he emphasized his commitment to keeping manufacturing jobs in the United States.
Trump’s threat followed recent announcements from John Deere that it plans to shift some of its production operations to Mexico, a move that has already resulted in layoffs at its Iowa facilities. “It’s hurting our farmers. It’s hurting our manufacturing,” Trump stated, underscoring his longstanding focus on using tariffs as an economic weapon to protect American jobs and industries.
Directing his comments to John Deere, Trump warned, “If you do that, we’re putting a 200% tariff on everything that you want to sell into the United States.” The former president’s comments appeared to be unscripted, triggered by the presence of John Deere tractors serving as the backdrop for the event.
JUST IN: Donald Trump points at the tractors behind him, tells John Deere that if they move their business to Mexico he is going to put a 200% tariff on them.
🔥🔥🔥
The comments came while Trump was speaking to farmers in Pennsylvania.
“I will tell you that I just noticed… pic.twitter.com/5wpEAuTEo4
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 23, 2024
In response to Trump’s comments, a spokesperson for John Deere referred to the company’s website, where it outlines its commitment to U.S. manufacturing. The company has defended its strategy, noting that moving certain operations, such as cab assembly, to other locations allows it to focus its U.S. factories on “highly value-additive activities.”
Trump’s hardline stance on tariffs is nothing new. Throughout his presidency and current campaign, he has used the threat of tariffs to push back against companies moving jobs overseas. On Monday, he extended similar warnings to automakers, cautioning them to keep production within the U.S. borders or face significant tariffs of 100% to 200% on cars manufactured in Mexico.
John Deere’s stock took a hit following Trump’s remarks, falling 1.7% in after-hours trading. This dip reflects the immediate uncertainty surrounding the company’s future operations and the potential impact of such a hefty tariff should Trump return to the White House in 2024.
Trump’s focus on tariffs plays into a larger narrative of economic protectionism that has been central to his political platform. By targeting major corporations like John Deere and automakers, he aims to reinforce his image as a champion of American workers, particularly in key swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, where manufacturing jobs are crucial to the local economies.
