In the latest example of just how badly President Donald Trump has harmed the economy since taking office, General Motors said Monday it will cut 15 percent of its salaried workforce and shutter at least five assembly plants.
CNN reports that GM’s moves are part of a larger strategy to “share technology across all of its vehicles and reduce the amount of time and workers it takes to build cars.” That will include phasing out many sedans and focusing on SUVs and electric vehicles.
The five plants slated to be shut down are in Detroit; Oshawa, Ontario; Warren, Ohio; White Marsh, Maryland; and Warren, Michigan. Those plants are responsible for producing the Chevrolet Impala and Cruze, the Buick LaCrosse, and the Cadillac CT6 and XTS. Those vehicles will no longer be a part of the GM product line.
In July, GM said the ongoing trade and tariff war begun by President Donald Trump had cost it at least a $1 billion as the price of both aluminum and steel had skyrocketed in response to the administration’s policies on trade.
GM CEO Mary Barra said Monday in a statement:
“The actions we are taking today continue our transformation to be highly agile, resilient and profitable, while giving us the flexibility to invest in the future.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was disappointed to hear that GM will be shutting the Oshawa plant, located just outside of Toronto, which has been in operation since 1953 and is known for producing some of GM’s most well-known brands, including Chevrolet, Buick, and Pontiac. On Twitter, Trudeau noted:
GM workers have been part of the heart and soul of Oshawa for generations – and we’ll do everything we can to help the families affected by this news get back on their feet. Yesterday, I spoke with @GM’s Mary Barra to express my deep disappointment in the closure.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 26, 2018
The United Auto Workers (UAW) say they will fight the decision made by GM:
“This callous decision by GM to reduce or cease operations in American plants, while opening or increasing production in Mexico and China plants for sales to American consumers, is, in its implementation, profoundly damaging to our American workforce.”
As of yet, President Trump has yet to weigh in on this latest example of how his “winning” economic policies have cost thousands of workers their jobs.
Featured Image Via CNN Screenshot
