General Motors (GM) reportedly announced plans to increase its light-duty truck production in the United States following the activation of President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on auto imports.
This new tariff took effect on Thursday, prompting GM to make significant adjustments at its Fort Wayne, Indiana assembly plant to meet rising production demands.
In an internal message to employees, GM stated it would hire temporary workers and implement operational changes at the Fort Wayne facility, which currently employs approximately 4,150 staff members.
Plant Director Dennys Pimenta informed workers that this would likely result in additional overtime opportunities.
However, GM’s productions in Canada and Mexico, which also focus on light-duty and full-size trucks, will not experience any schedule changes.
Trump’s tariff targets all imported vehicles not manufactured domestically, with the intent to bolster U.S. auto manufacturing.
The automotive sectors in Canada and Mexico will likely be adversely affected, as many American manufacturers have shifted production to these neighboring countries.
Notably, Canada ranks as the second-largest exporter of vehicles, employing around 125,000 people directly in the automotive industry.
In response to the U.S. tariff, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated that Canada would implement a matching 25% tariff, emphasizing that such measures are designed to exert maximum pressure on the U.S. while minimizing the repercussions on Canada.
Trump recently touted tariffs as a mechanism for reviving American manufacturing, citing Hyundai’s $21 billion investment in the U.S. over the next four years as evidence of their effectiveness.
He stated, “This investment is a clear demonstration that tariffs very strongly work,” highlighting his administration’s focus on incentivizing domestic production.
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