Trump threatens to cut GM subsidies

Donald Trump is said to be "disappointed" by having cut thousands of jobs at General Motors – AFP

US President Donald Trump said the White House plans to cut subsidies to General Motors after the country's largest automaker announced the closure of five plants in North America (four in the United States). United States and one in Canada). about 15 thousand employees.

Trump also blamed GM for not closing its units in Mexico and China. "The United States has saved General Motors, and that's what we thanked! We are now considering removing all GM subsidies, including for electric cars," Trump said on Twitter.

GM's electric cars are eligible for a $ 7,500 federal tax credit that encourages this type of product, but the way the government can limit credit is unclear.

In a statement, GM said it was "determined to maintain a strong manufacturing presence" in the United States after investing $ 22 billion in operations since 2009. It also said it would create new jobs in the United States. 39, electrification and autonomous vehicles.

The planned cuts, said the automaker, "will allow the company to succeed in the long run and maintain and grow jobs in the United States." According to GM, many workers in the factories that will be affected could be transferred to other units in the group.

On Monday, GM announced that it will stop producing several models whose sales are down, including the Cruze, Impala, Buick La Crosse, the Cadillac CTG and the Volt hybrid plug-in. In parallel, he will focus on the production of SUVs, as well as electric and autonomous cars.

He also reported that two more plants would be closed until the end and 2019 in other regions, but that was not mentioned.

Repudiation

The Metallurgical Workers' Union of São José dos Campos and the CSP-Conlutas plant, to which it is affiliated, announced Tuesday, November 28, a statement rejecting GM's plans. According to the press release, the company is in a healthy financial situation and nevertheless plans to reduce its workforce by 15%.

"This is an unacceptable step that calls for a response from unions and workers' organizations from all units of the assembly plant.The response must take the form of a struggle and a 'an international solidarity for the defense of employment and against the closure of factories,' the statement said.

They also urge the company to announce urgently which countries (other than the United States and Canada) will be affected by the restructuring. The São José dos Campos plant is the only one out of five of the country not to appear in the brand's latest investment plan, amounting to 13 billion rubles, which ends in 2019. GM Mercosul is expected to announce a new plan shortly.With Reuters information. The information comes from the newspaper The state of S. Paulo.