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MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Latest on Harley-Davidson shifting production of some motorcycles overseas (all times local):
5:05 p.m.
President Donald Trump says he's surprised that Harley-Davidson was first "to wave the White Flag" in a tariff dispute between the U.S. and the European Union.
The Milwaukee-based company announced Monday that it is moving production of motorcycles sold in Europe from U.S. factories to facilities overseas. The move is a consequence of retaliatory tariffs the EU is imposing on American exports in an escalating trade war with the White House. Trump first imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum from the EU and other countries.
Says Trump: "Surprised that Harley-Davidson, of all companies, would be the first to wave the White Flag. I fought hard for them and ultimately they will not pay tariffs selling into the E.U., which has hurt us badly on trade, down $151 Billion. Taxes just a Harley excuse - be patient! #MAGA."
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4:25 p.m.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the European Union "is trying to punish U.S. workers" by increasing tariffs on American-made products.
Sanders made the comment Monday during a press briefing. She was asked for President Donald Trump's reaction to Harley-Davidson announcing it would shift the production of motorcycles headed for Europe from the U.S. to factories overseas. The Milwaukee-based company says it made the decision because the higher tariffs the EU is imposing on motorcycles exported from the U.S.
Sanders accused the EU of repeatedly engaging "in unfair trade practices" and that Trump is saying "enough is enough."
The EU tariffs are retaliation for duties the Trump administration is imposing on European steel and aluminum.
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11:30 a.m.
Wisconsin's top Republican leaders are not criticizing President Donald Trump's trade policy or Harley-Davidson's decision to shift the production of motorcycles headed for Europe from the U.S. to factories overseas.
The Milwaukee-based company said Monday it's making the move because of a spike in European Union tariffs on its motorcycles exported from the U.S.
A spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin, says Harley's decision is "further proof of the harm from unilateral tariffs." AshLee Strong says the best way to help American workers, consumers and manufacturers is to open new markets and not raise barriers.
Fellow Republican Gov. Scott Walker is echoing those comments.
He says the ultimate goal should be no tariffs. He says that's what he's pushing for.
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6:26 a.m.
Harley-Davidson, facing rising costs from new tariffs, will begin shifting the production of motorcycles heading for Europe from the U.S. to factories overseas.
The famed motorcycle maker said in a regulatory filing Monday that European Union tariffs on its motorcycles exported from the U.S. jumped from 6 percent to 31 percent.
Harley-Davidson Inc. said that it will not raise its prices due to "an immediate and lasting detrimental impact to its business in the region."
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