- The Washington Times - Monday, March 18, 2019

President Trump urged General Motors and the United Auto Workers union to start “talks” Monday to keep a Lordstown, Ohio, auto plant open.

In a series of tweets, Mr. Trump continued to support the auto plant, saying he wanted “jobs to stay in the” country while touting the U.S.’ “best economy in the world.”

“General Motors and the UAW are going to start “talks” in September/October. Why wait, start them now,” he tweeted. “I want jobs to stay in the U.S.A. and want Lordstown (Ohio), in one of the best economies in our history, opened or sold to a company who will open it up fast!”

He added: “Car companies are all coming back to the U.S. So is everyone else. We now have the best Economy in the World, the envy of all. Get that big, beautiful plant in Ohio open now. Close a plant in China or Mexico, where you invested so heavily pre-Trump, but not in the U.S.A. Bring jobs home!”

Mr. Trump started supporting the plant on Sunday, tweeting “G.M. let our country down” and criticisms of a union leader.

“Democrat UAW Local 1112 President David Green ought to get his act together and produce. G.M. let our Country down, but other much better car companies are coming into the U.S. in droves. I want action on Lordstown fast. Stop complaining and get the job done! 3.8% Unemployment!” the president tweeted.

The president also said that he spoke to GM’s CEO Mary Barra about saving the plant, saying he is “not happy that it is closed when everything else in our Country is BOOMING.”

“I asked her to sell it or do something quickly. She blamed the UAW Union — I don’t care, I just want it open,” Mr. Trump tweeted.

The plant was idled early in March, leaving 1,700 Lordstown hourly workers without a job. Workers are hopeful that another car could be brought to the town.

• Bailey Vogt can be reached at bvogt@washingtontimes.com.

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