President Trump previewed his pitch to U.S. automakers Tuesday on Twitter: “I want new plants to be built here for cars sold here!”
The strong message from Mr. Trump was tweeted before his breakfast meeting at the White House with chief executives of General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
The powwow with car makers follows separate meetings Monday with union leaders and some of the country’s top business executives from industries ranging from technology to apparel, as he begins his presidency with a focus on the economy, trade and jobs.
Mr. Trump has been highly critical of U.S. automobile companies that move production to Mexico and has threatened to slap a “border tax” on imports by companies that use offshore factories.
Putting pressure on U.S. companies to “buy American and hire American” appeared to have paid some early dividends for Mr. Trump’s agenda.
Earlier this month, Ford scrapped plans for a $1.6 billion plant in Mexico and announced a $700 million investment in an existing factory in Flat Rock, Michigan.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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