Trump Threatens John Deere With 200% Tariff Over Planned Move to Mexico

Former President Donald Trump says he would levy a 200% tariff against John Deere, if the agricultural equipment manufacturer moves forward with its plans to move a portion of its production out of the U.S. and into Mexico. 

In June, John Deere announced that it would moving its manufacturing of skid steer loaders and compact truck loaders from its facility in Dubuque, Iowa to Ramos, Mexico. Speaking at a policy roundtable in Pennsylvania on September 23, Trump accused the manufacturer of "hurting" the U.S. farming industry with its planned move, and threatened to put a 200% tariff on everything John Deere imports into the U.S. from Mexico. Trump also said that he would consider similar tariffs against auto manufacturers that move production to Mexico, CNBC reports. 

John Deere responded by pointing to a page on its website where it details its "commitment to U.S. manufacturing." On that page, the company says that it employs around 30,000 workers across 60 facilities based out of the U.S., with more than 75% of its products sold in the U.S. assembled at domestic plants.

Tariffs have been central focus of Trump's economic policy proposals throughout the life of his presidential campaign. Over the summer, he proposed a new 10% tariff on all goods imported into the U.S., as well as a 60% tax on imports from China. Although the Biden administration hasn't been shy about implementing its own tariffs, its policies have been targeted more at specific products coming from China, including solar panels, electric vehicles and steel.