President Trump has long been a champion of American workers, building his political brand around protecting jobs and industries from leaving the country.
He continues to take a hardline approach against companies that outsourced production, issuing tariffs and tax penalties to keep jobs within U.S. borders.
This from thepatriotjournal.com.
Trump made it clear he would not stand by as American companies, tempted by cheaper labor abroad, moved jobs overseas and left U.S. workers behind. Whether it was automakers, technology firms, or manufacturing giants, he was not afraid to call out big names and hold them accountable to American workers.
His “America First” policy extended to every corner of the economy, from steel to automobiles and even agriculture. Trump repeatedly made it clear businesses looking to offshore jobs would face consequences. His threats of tariffs, particularly on companies moving production to places like Mexico or China, were central to his efforts to level the playing field for U.S. workers.
He understands when businesses move jobs out of the country, it’s not just an economic issue—it’s about the lives of American families who depend on those jobs. Trump vowed to be their voice and their protector.
From Fox Business:
President Donald Trump on Monday vowed to impose a 200% tariff on John Deere’s imports into the U.S. if the company moves some of its production to Mexico.
John Deere announced earlier this year that it would lay off about 600 employees at three plants effective Aug. 30 as part of a plan to move production of skid steer loaders and compact track loaders to an existing facility in Mexico by the end of 2026. The layoffs impacted facilities in Davenport and Dubuque, Iowa, as well as East Moline, Illinois.
Trump, speaking at a rally in western Pennsylvania, wasted no time making his position clear:
I am just notifying John Deere right now if you do that, we are putting a 200% tariff on everything you want to sell into the United States.
This is not the first time Trump has wielded tariffs as a tool to protect American jobs. He previously threatened automakers with the same 200% tariff if they moved production south of the border.
But this appears to be the first instance in which he has extended that threat to an agricultural equipment manufacturer like John Deere. His message to companies is simple:
[I]f you take jobs away from American workers,
be prepared to pay the price.
John Deere, however, has defended its decision to shift production, citing a need to “optimize” its operations for future growth.
The company claims it is focusing on making its U.S. plants more efficient by concentrating high-value manufacturing stateside while moving less complex operations, such as cab assembly, to Mexico.
In a statement, John Deere explained:
[T]his move is part of a broader strategy to adapt
to changing market conditions and labor availability.
The company emphasized that it has invested over $2 billion in its U.S. facilities since 2019, including new product lines in East Moline, Des Moines, and Waterloo, Iowa, as well as a new factory in Kernersville, North Carolina.
But despite these investments, the 600 layoffs and production shifts have drawn significant attention. Farmers, already grappling with high interest rates and declining commodity prices, are feeling the squeeze, and John Deere has felt the economic headwinds.
The company expects a 24% decline in farmer net income in 2024, which has led to reduced demand for new machinery. As a result, Deere says it has had to “optimize” its global production network to remain competitive and respond to these market pressures.
Trump’s fiery rhetoric is a direct challenge to John Deere’s strategy. He believes that moving jobs out of the U.S., no matter how efficient the company claims it will be, is:
[A] betrayal of the workers who have
built the brand into a global powerhouse.
In Trump’s eyes:
[T] loyalty of these workers deserves protection,
not abandonment in favor of cheaper foreign labor.
He is positioning himself as the defender of these workers, making it clear if companies prioritize profits over people, they will face swift retaliation.
In the political landscape, Trump’s stance is likely to resonate with many in the Midwest and other manufacturing regions who feel left behind by globalization and corporate decisions that prioritize short-term gains over long-term community stability.
For these voters, Trump’s promise of tariffs on John Deere might be seen as an essential fight for their livelihoods. After all, to Trump and his supporters, protecting American jobs isn’t just about economics—it’s about national pride and preserving the dignity of hard work.
John Deere, for its part, will have to decide whether the cost of shifting production outweighs the potential backlash from the Trump camp and the tariffs he promises to impose.
But one thing is certain: Trump has no intention of backing down when it comes to standing up for the American worker, and John Deere may be the latest company to face his economic wrath, but it will not be the last.
