Trump urges GM to close plants in China instead of Ohio
Chongqing Digg
By Dave Boyer - The Washington Times - Monday, November 26, 2018
President Trump said Monday he’s pressuring the CEO of General Motors to open a new factory in Ohio quickly following the automaker’s announcement of plant closings in the Midwest, a business decision that could complicate the president’s re-election bid.
On the same day that GM announced layoffs of up to 14,000 workers at as many as five plants in North America, including Michigan and Ohio, Mr. Trump told reporters he had a stern phone call with CEO Mary Barra in which he reminded her of taxpayers’ $80 billion bailout of the auto industry in 2008.
“The United States saved General Motors, and for her to take that company out of Ohio is not good,” Mr. Trump said. “I am not happy with what she did. They better get back to Ohio and soon. I was very tough when I spoke to her.”
GM said it is cutting production of several car models, including the compact Chevrolet Cruze, as part of a massive restructuring that will eliminate about 5 percent of its North American workforce.
The decision to halt production at the GM plant in Lordstown, Ohio, and its Hamtramck facility in Michigan are a blow to the states’ economies. And it could affect the re-election prospects for Mr. Trump, who won two years ago by capturing both states and has made big promises to those communities about his policies creating a resurgent American auto industry.
[excerpt]
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/26/trump-urges-gm-close-plants-china-instead-ohio/
Questions:
This move to close American plants while keeping Chinese plants open looks overtly political to me. Punishes Trump for tariffs on China and makes it hard for him to fulfill campaign promises to Ohio voters. First DS chess move to oust POTUS in 2020???
GM probably can't move its whole company to China, since the government partially owns it, but someone or something is sending a very strong message–a message designed to make voters lose confidence in DJT's power to deliver.
So:
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Who are the real decision makers behind these plant closings?
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How much influence does China currently have on GM?
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Is Feinstein (or any other politician) directly or indirectly involved?
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Role of Feinstein's spouse, if any?