Ford’s Mexico factory ‘ killed off by Trump’
DONALD Trump renewed his Twitter offensive yesterday to campaign for jobs for US car workers and oppose the closure of Guantanamo Bay.
He claimed victory for his protectionist trade plans after Ford axed a proposal to build a £1.3billion car plant in Mexico.
Ford’s announcement that it was scrapping the factory planned for the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi was a boost for the President-elect’s pledge to return jobs to the US.
The car company said its decision to spend some of the money instead on creating 700 jobs at its plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, was partly due to the need to make the most of existing facilities amid falling demand for its smaller cars.
But chief executive Mark Fields boosted Mr Trump by saying the decision was a vote of confidence in the business environment he was creating.
Mr Trump crowed on Twitter: ‘Instead of driving jobs and wealth away, America will become the world’s great magnet for innovation & job creation.’
Hours earlier, he criticised General Motors for building cars in Mexico which could be sold tax-free in the US. ‘General Motors is sending Mex- ican made model of Chevy Cruze to US car dealers-tax free across border. Make in USA or pay big border tax!’ he tweeted.
Just over two weeks away from an inauguration that has been shunned by showbusiness stars and marred by protest warnings, Mr Trump also urged Barack Obama to halt transfers from the controversial Guantanamo Bay camp in Cuba.
There are still 59 detainees, with 19 due to be moved abroad before he leaves office on January 20.
Mr Trump tweeted: ‘There should be no further releases. These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield.’ He has said he will ‘load it up with some bad dudes’ but not specified where they will come from.