Harley-Davidson, Blaming E.U. Tariffs, Will Move Some Production Out of U.S.
As President Trump pursues a protectionist trade policy, he has pointed repeatedly to Harley-Davidson, the iconic American motorcycle manufacturer, as a company that will ultimately benefit.
Instead, it is getting caught in the crossfire.
.. While Mr. Trump says his trade policy is aimed at reviving domestic manufacturing, Harley-Davidson’s move shows how the White House approach could backfire as American companies increasingly rely on overseas markets for materials, production and sales.
.. On Monday, the company said the tariffs on its motorcycles had increased to 31 percent from 6 percent, adding, on average, $2,200 to every motorcycle exported from the United States to Europe.
.. Speaker Paul D. Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, said on Monday that Harley-Davidson’s decision was evidence that raising trade barriers was a bad idea.
.. estimated that fewer than 10 percent of Harley-Davidson’s motorcycles were manufactured abroad.