FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2018
While Trump Tariffs Hurt South Carolina Businesses, Henry McMaster Wants to “Wait and See”
Columbia, SC – Chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, Trav Robertson, released the following statement after new reporting that BMW car exports plunged 35% in August, in part due to President Trump’s tariffs:
“Henry McMaster is going along with a war on Palmetto businesses and workers because he’s afraid to stand up to President Trump and do the right thing for the people of South Carolina. It looks like Henry is not going to be happy until he drives BMW out of our state.”
Background:
In March, BMW’s CEO said Trump’s auto tariffs “would have an impact on jobs in the United States.”
In June, BMW sent a letter to the United States Commerce Department about how Trump tariffs could “could drive up manufacturing costs and risk jobs in South Carolina.”
It was reported that BMW has began to make more of the X3 crossover S.U.V.s in plants in Shenyang, China and Rosslyn, South Africa. The company had also announced that it would increase production capacity in two Shenyang plants next year – overtaking the total production in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
We’ll leave you all with this:
“BMW saved Spartanburg and transformed South Carolina into a manufacturing mecca to the world. When you mess with the golden goose, they’re family, and you’re messing with me. When you mess with the golden goose, they’re family, and you’re messing with me.” – David Britt, Spartanburg Councilman. NYT / 7.2018
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