Trump threatens GM over car production in Mexico

“General Motors is sending Mexican made model of Chevy Cruze to U.S. car dealers-tax free across border,” Trump tweeted. “Make in U.S.A. or pay big border tax!”

The tweet is Trump’s latest effort to shape policy and affect corporate behavior even before he is sworn into office. Just weeks after he won the Nov. 8 election, Trump pressured Carrier not to move part of its production from Indiana to Mexico, and later claimed victory when the company said it would stay in the U.S., with the help of state-level tax breaks.

It’s the first time Trump has lashed out at GM over moving production of vehicles overseas. Trump was often critical of Ford for moving production of some vehicles to Mexico with a new plant on the campaign trail.

GM announced in 2015 it would make the next generation of the Cruze at its plant in Mexico while continuing to produce other versions of the Cruze at its plant in Lordstown, Ohio.

In a statement released Tuesday, GM said only a small number of hatchbacks are produced in Mexico and sold in the U.S.

“General Motors manufacturers the Chevrolet Cruze sedan in Lordstown, Ohio,” the company said in a statement. “All Chevrolet Cruze sedans sold in the U.S. are built in GM’s assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio. GM builds the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback for global markets in Mexico, with a small number sold in the U.S.”

Trump also tweeted Tuesday that the Affordable Car Act, commonly called Obamacare, needed to be repealed because it doesn’t work. Repealing Obamacare is one of the top priorities for Trump’s administration, and the GOP Congress.

“People must remember that ObamaCare just doesn’t work, and it is not affordable – 116% increases (Arizona),” Trump tweeted. “Bill Clinton called it ‘CRAZY.'”

“The Democrat Governor of Minnesota said ‘The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) is no longer affordable!’ – And, it is lousy healthcare,” he added.