Washington touts tariff wins based on reports of global firms considering bolstering production in US
The White House has listed Samsung, LG and Hyundai Motor Company as examples of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs’ success, promoting Washington’s America-first policy to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico and upcoming tariffs on other countries that may include South Korea.
“President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs are already working as more and more companies look at ‘expanding their presence or setting up shop in the United States,’” the White House said in a post on Monday, citing a Reuters report.
It added that the global firms’ announcements on bulking up their US production or reported consideration of doing so is “a direct result of President Trump’s commitment to put the American worker first and improve American competitiveness.”
The post mentions 12 companies, noting that “South Korean tech giant” Samsung Electronics is considering moving dryer manufacturing from its Mexico plant to its plant in South Carolina. LG Electronics is also considering moving the manufacturing refrigerators from Mexico to its factory in Tennessee, which makes washing machines and dryers, according to the White House.
Both claims were based on Korean reports citing anonymous sources in January this year. Neither company has confirmed such a decision.
Mentioning Hyundai Motor Company, the White House said the Korean automaker plans to “further localize production in the US to minimize tariff impact,” adding that it would produce hybrid vehicles at its newly built factory in Georgia. With Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America being set up, the Korean automaker said it will begin with an annual production capacity of 300,000 cars in the US. This could rise to 500,000 cars per year with expansion plans later on.
On the same day and in a separate article, the White House touted Trump’s achievements over the course of his first 50 days in office since his second presidential term began, listing “50 wins for the American people.”
Of those wins, Samsung and LG were cited once again as the White House said, “Electronics giants Samsung and LG ‘are considering moving their plants in Mexico to the US’ now that President Trump is back in office.”
