General Motors announced it will cut as many as 14,000 jobs across North America — many of them in Ohio — and it didn’t take long for the political finger-pointing to begin.
At a rally near GM’s Lordstown, Ohio, plant last summer, President Trump told people not to sell their homes because the jobs are “all coming back.”
But GM announced Monday that it will cut as many as 14,000 workers in North America and put five plants up for possible closure.
In response, Trump threatened today to cut U.S. subsidies to General Motors, describing its plans to close plants and cut workers as ingratitude to taxpayers.
Very disappointed with General Motors and their CEO, Mary Barra, for closing plants in Ohio, Michigan and Maryland. Nothing being closed in Mexico & China. The U.S. saved General Motors, and this is the THANKS we get! We are now looking at cutting all @GM subsidies, including….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2018
….for electric cars. General Motors made a big China bet years ago when they built plants there (and in Mexico) – don’t think that bet is going to pay off. I am here to protect America’s Workers!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2018
The automaker received large bailouts under both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama.
White House aides have argued that a pending trade deal with Canada and Mexico was also crafted to help the industry.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) also hit GM on the timing of the job and factory cuts, saying in a statement that “it’s shameful that the company is now abandoning the Mahoning Valley and laying off workers right before the holidays.”
Brown took aim at the Trump tax cuts, too.
“Even worse, the company reaped a massive tax break from last year’s GOP tax bill and failed to invest that money in American jobs, choosing to build its Blazer in Mexico,” Brown said. “This decision is corporate greed at its worst.”
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), whose district includes Lordstown, excoriated both GM and Trump.
In a statement, he called the move a “bad combination of greedy corporations and policy makers with no understanding of economic development.”
He asked Trump to “keep his word” from when he came to Ohio’s Mahoning Valley last year promising jobs would return.
“He promised us that his massive corporate tax cut would lead to dramatic reinvestments in our communities. That clearly is not happening,” Ryan added. “The Valley has been yearning for the Trump Administration to come here, roll up their sleeves and help us fight for this recovery. What we’ve gotten instead are broken promises and petty tweets.”
Rust Belt Republicans also were angry about GM’s decision, though they trained their focus on the company itself, rather than on the president or the recent tax cuts.
Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) said he was “deeply frustrated with General Motors’ decision” and “disappointed with how the hardworking employees there have been treated throughout this process.”
Portman said he has spoken to GM’s CEO, Mary Barra, and asked her to consider producing other vehicles in Lordstown.
Ohio’s GOP governor, John Kasich, said it was “painful” to see the layoffs hitting workers, their families and the community.
Lordstown sits in Trumbull County, which Trump carried by about 6,000 votes as he won Ohio in 2016.
Ohio has supported the presidential election winner in every contest since 1964.
It’s not just Ohio where GM’s move could reverberate politically.
The company plans to cut as many as 1,800 factory jobs at two facilities in Detroit and Warren, Michigan. Most will come from the Detroit plant.