Former President Trump on Monday threatened Illinois-based John Deere with huge tariffs on its products if it outsources some of its manufacturing to Mexico as previously announced, the latest sign that Trump would be aggressive in using tariffs if he wins the November election.
“I noticed that there's a John Deere tractor behind me. I know John Deere very well. I love John Deere,” Trump said at an event with Pennsylvania farmers.
“But, you know, they announced a few days ago that they're moving a lot of their manufacturing operations to Mexico,” he continued. “I'm in the process of notifying John Deere right now that if they do, I'm going to put a 200% tariff on all of the products that they want to sell into the U.S., so if I win, John Deere is going to pay 200%. We haven't started that yet. It may not even be finalized. But I think it is.”
Fox Business Network Reported in June John Deere, which sells tractors, crop harvesters and other large machinery, said it would lay off about 600 workers at its plants in Illinois and Iowa.
The job cuts were part of a broader restructuring of the company's operations, including plans to move manufacturing of skid steer loaders and compact track loaders to Mexico by the end of 2026, according to Fox Business Network.
John Deere did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's tariff threats.
President Trump has relied on tariffs as something of a panacea as he lays out his economic vision for his second term: He has repeatedly said he would impose tariffs on all imports, threatened to use them to force American companies to bring manufacturing home and suggested they could help lower the cost of child care, a comment that drew criticism from Democrats.
Experts have warned that tariffs would lead to higher inflation and force businesses to pass on the extra costs to consumers. President Trump rejected that analysis on Monday, signaling he would go ahead with the tariffs even without Congress' approval.
“I don't need them. I don't need Congress, but they will approve it,” he said. “If they don't approve it, I have the right to enforce it myself. I would rather have their support.”
