Trump reportedly poised to ban German luxury carmakers in the US

[demmiblue]

Source: CNBC

President Donald Trump is preparing to impose a total ban on German luxury carmakers from the U.S. market, according to an exclusive report by German magazine WirtschaftsWoche.

Citing several unnamed U.S. and European diplomats, the weekly business magazine reported that Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron last month he would maintain his trade policy with the aim of stopping Mercedes-Benz models from driving down Fifth Avenue in New York.

The report comes less than two weeks after the U.S. Department of Commerce launched an investigation into automobile imports to determine whether they "threaten to impair the national security" of the U.S. That could lead to tariffs of up to 25 percent on the same "national security" grounds used to impose metal imports charges in March.

Europe's autos sector was trading lower shortly after the report was published Thursday, with German automakers leading the losses during mid-morning deals. Shares of Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen were all trading off around 1 percent on the news.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/31/trump-reportedly-poised-to-ban-german-luxury-carmakers-in-the-us.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Just curious. Is this DJT driving a Mercedes?

https://www.facebook.com/MelaniaTrump/videos/10152885331287808/

[ansible]

22. No, it's a Rolls Royce

[mwooldri]

39. Rolls Royce. Now owned by BMW. Wunderbar!

[Totally Tunsie]

46. He's owned and driven more than one Benz.

Among other foreign imports, hippo-crit has himself owned at least a couple of Mercedes Benz autos.

[link:http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trumps-car-collection-2017-1|

"Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

Car Keys


Over time, Trump has owned the likes of the Mercedes-owned Maybach limousine and the more recent S600 saloon, according to Goldasz.

"Probably the most intriguing Mercedes which Donald has owned, though, is the SLR McLaren supercar," he said. "It was originally launched back in 2003, back when Mercedes and McLaren Automotive were close partners. The combined efforts of these brands resulted in the creation of a striking two-door grand tourer which boasted 617bhp as standard from a supercharged V8. The only things possibly more striking than that were the car's Formula 1-esque nose and its big gullwing doors."

[RobinA]

2. I'd Be Curious

as to how importing Mercedes affects national security. Somehow I don't think this will go over well, assuming it's true, which I do not.

[LuvNewcastle]

6. Another thing I was wondering was why driving a Mercedes

would negatively affect national security but driving a Lexus wouldn't. If Trump is really considering to put tariffs on Medrcedes, it's got to be a payoff for someone. Nothing else makes sense.

[notdarkyet]

16. He dislikes Merkle . This is another personal attack towards a whole country. I hope the EU

Finally gets the message, we are not their friend or ally and behave accordingly.. No point in trying to kiss up to trump unless you have millions to bribe him with. Worked for China.

[maxrandb]

19. I'd be curious

if he, his fucking family and the sycophants that hang around him are short-selling German Auto stock.

[RobinA]

40. Good One

Maybe his family's trades should be looked at around all his more lamebrained pronouncements. What better place to manipulate markets than from the White House. And you never actually have to do what you say.

[paleotn]

26. It doesn't and will be slapped down by the WTO

as quickly as you can say delusional fuck head.

[bobbieinok]

3. Why?? Didn't GOP hate Obama helping US car makers? What T crony hates Mercedes Benz?

In some genealogy research, I saw Pence name was anglicized from Benz for at least one family in the 18th century.

[Freethinker65]

4. Mercedes should strategically mothball their Alabama location for a bit.

[greymattermom]

14. Mercedes US headquarters is near me

in a red state, of course. Think again, Donald. Or maybe this will help get Stacy Abrams elected!

[raccoon]

47. BMW is near me, in another red state. nt

[safeinOhio]

5. Wish that there is

a trump property in Germany to ban.

[Kittycow]

7. Chip on his shoulder against Angela Merkel, probably.

I bet it has something to do with NATO in his convoluted little mind. I'd map it out but thinking like him makes me insane.

[CentralMass]

13. I think that you nailed it, tRump is vindictive.

[lark]

8. Asshole. Many Mercedes are made in th US, I believe all their "C" lines are.

What is he going to do about those, close down the plants? He's just following PUtins orders to fuck over Germany because it is the 1 country he fears. This personally sucks for me because I drive an old Mercedes and need to get parts sometimes.

[NeoGreen]

9. Is this just an opening line to some "negotiations"...

...

Tariffs happen Germany...how many cars do you sell in the US?...

[durablend]

10. Past April 1st and not The Onion...

WTF?!?

[Newcanuck]

11. German luxury cars

Five minutes research this morning tells me that the BMW plant in Spartanburg SC is the largest BMW plant in the world and employs 3700 direct and 10000 peripherally in the region.

DaimlerBenz, on the other hand, in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, employs 10,000 on site and another 20,000 peripherally and has invested over $8 billion since its inception in 1992.

How many of those employees do you think are Trump supporters? A whole lot, I'm willing to bet.

I guess Trump really IS illiterate.

[RandomAccess]

31. Astonishing -- thanks for the info

[mahatmakanejeeves]

33. Also, BMW supports educational programs in South Carolina.

The link goes to a site maintained by BMW, but you know that. I'm sure that all the foreign manufacturers of cars in the US support the local community colleges and maybe the four-year schools.

Commitment To Education
Education

Educational Support

Right now, the next great business visionary may be in an introductory German class. Tomorrow’s Teacher of the Year may be struggling just to survive in an inner city neighborhood. Fact is, there is no one cradle of success. Those who will change our world can come from anywhere. So BMW Manufacturing invests in a number of educational initiatives, from providing endowments to helping increase and strengthen the faculty resources of our local universities. The more diverse the opportunities, the greater our chance of success. BMW’s educational support and investments span a range of levels and opportunities for achievement in South Carolina education, including:

{snip}

Scholars Program

The BMW Scholars Program is a partnership with four technical colleges, Greenville Technical College, Spartanburg Community College, Tri County Technical College, and Piedmont Technical College. The program allows students who are in manufacturing-related degrees to attend class full-time and earn a degree while working part-time hours at BMW Manufacturing.

BMW provides tuition assistance each semester, while the student is enrolled full-time and actively participating in the Scholars Program.

This apprentice program allows students to rotate working in our different manufacturing areas and gain valuable job experience. Students are also given extensive BMW technical training related to their degree studies.

{more snippage}

[Wellstone ruled]

53. What to add to the conversation,

here is something most do not realize. Benz supplies so many items to the Motor Freight Industry like Freightliner Trucks,Tractors and Chassis.

BTW,this is a wet kiss to Carl Ichan who owns most of Navistar Trucks which are largely assembled in Mexico.

Two days ago,Trump gave his Pals Koch's and Icahn a wet kiss as to the Ethanol Blending Rebates from the Federal Treasury,and know he gives his Pal Icahn another wet kiss.

[DAMANgoldberg]

43. Add to this

Volkswagon in Chattanooga TN. That is just German manufacturers.

[raccoon]

48. Maybe some of these BMW employees will get their heads out of their arses. nt

[Dave Starsky]

12. Probably another shakedown involved.

He'll change his mind as soon as the plans for Trump Tower Berlin are drawn up.

[elehhhhna]

17. Their stocks been shorted already. Like the trades on 9/11

Insider info is something but a president can temporarily crash a stock with one sentence.

[muriel_volestrangler]

15. Floating the insane option, to make the rest of his trade war look "reasonable"

Mercedes Benz (and Porsche, and Audi) are a successful luxury brand all over the world. It's nothing special about the trade rules between the US and Germany. Trump is looking for an attack on a foreign company, just for his base to have some red meat.

[RKP5637]

18. There really is no word to describe the stupidity and ignorance of deranged tRump. n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

20. Anybody taking bets on when Great Recession II hits?

[MBS]

23. It's my working assumption that it will hit within the year. n/t

[Firestorm49]

21. Ah, a New Deal!

He’ll allow the cars to remain being imported as soon as he inks another Trump hotel deal somewhere in Germany.

[Chakaconcarne]

24. Yeah, that will go over real well.....

jackass

[paleotn]

25. Much of their US sales....

are built in Alabama, you fucking morons!!!!

[hatrack]

28. So let BMW and MB shut down their plants in the deep south . . .

Just for a week or six.

See how that works out.

[TimeSnowDemos]

27. Trade wars

Here we come.

A reminder that the EU has a bigger population than the US, and imports only slightly more than it exports.

The combined value of the trade is 1 trillion a year.

The EU is the number one importer of US good globally.

[Botany]

29. Does Trump know that Mercedes Benz makes cars in Alabama?

From Wiki
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) is a Mercedes-Benz automobile manufacturing plant near Vance, Alabama. It is located about 34 miles (55 km) west of Birmingham and about 19 miles (31 km) east of downtown Tuscaloosa. The factory was announced in 1993[1] and produced its first vehicle, an ML320, in February 1997.[2]

From its inception to 1999, the president and CEO of MBUSI was Andreas Renschler. When he was promoted to Head of Global Executive Management Development for DaimlerChrysler, he was succeeded by Bill Taylor. Taylor resigned effective June 2009, and was succeeded by Ola Kaellenius, who was succeeded by Markus Schaefer in July 2010.

Daimler announced in December 2009 that it would move production of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class to its Vance plant, with production beginning in 2014.

The plant is located on 1,000 acres of land donated by the state of Alabama. The land was donated as part of the bid, by Alabama, to win the contract with Mercedes. The plant includes multiple test tracks, on road and off-road.

[truthisfreedom]

30. He told his rich friends to short the stocks.

don the con.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

32. Donald Trump Misses Driving. So Would You If You Owned His Cars

Donald Trump Misses Driving. So Would You If You Owned His Cars

Cars

Donald Trump Misses Driving. So Would You If You Owned His Cars

A look back at the cars the U.S. president used to enjoy from behind the wheel.

By Hannah Elliott
May 4, 2017, 4:01 AM EDT

{snip, a bunch of expensive imports and domestics}

[FakeNoose]

34. This will backfire - like everything else he does

The Germans and the EU will ban American-made cars in a heartbeat. Our car manufacturing will drop like a turd in the wind. Guess who will be funding the next election campaign AGAINST the orange asshole?

Just sayin'

[apnu]

38. Which is no big deal for them.

Most EU people don't drive American cars. They are there, I saw a few of them in Rome last year, but I also saw the Romans sneering at the giant, out-of-place, American imports.

But here in the states, European luxury cars are an important status symbol.

[mopinko]

35. so are we going to have to make dealerships whole?

isnt this a taking?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

36. Good point. I guess whoever is running American Service Center in Arlington, Virginia, is

Last edited Thu May 31, 2018, 12:50 PM - Edit history (1)

going to blow his top.

It's a Mercedes dealer now, but I remember when they sold Studebakers.

Been a while.

[apnu]

37. Trump is punching is base in the nuts again

Many of these cars are made in Trump friendly 'right to work states' like South Carolina.

combine that with the aluminum and steel tariffs he's also floating today, and we can see Trump saying "fuck you" to the Rust Belt and American manufacturing. He carried much of the Rust Belt in 2016.

[mwooldri]

41. Trying to block Daimler AG from the US market is stupid.

Freightliner trucks. Detroit Diesel engines. Thomas Built school buses. All owned by Daimler.

I suppose Daimler could build in China and import to US that way...

[DAMANgoldberg]

44. Add to this

Freightliner with major operations just west of here in Gaston County NC.

[jmowreader]

49. Also add MTU marine engines

Even his real base (hyper-rich conservatives) are going to get miffed if that goes away. They might be willing to change to Lexus for their auto needs, but they’re going to be pissed if they can’t get yacht parts.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

42. Trump Threatens To Push German Carmakers From The U.S. Market: Report

Trump Threatens To Push German Carmakers From The U.S. Market: Report

Stef Schrader
Today 10:17am

Good morning! Welcome to The Morning Shift, your roundup of the auto news you crave, all in one place every weekday morning. Here are the important stories you need to know.

1st Gear: Trump’s Vendetta Against German Marques Continues

Shares of German luxury automakers dipped in value a bit Thursday evening following a report published in the German magazine Wirtschaftswoche, which noted how Donald Trump would like to push German automakers off of American roads, reports Reuters:

A report that U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to pursue German carmakers until there are no Mercedes-Benz rolling down New York’s Fifth Avenue dented shares in the luxury car manufacturers on Thursday.

An excerpt from German magazine Wirtschaftswoche’s article, which cited several unnamed European and U.S. diplomats but did not include any direct quotes, could not be independently verified, while a United States Embassy spokesman in Berlin referred questions to Washington.

The news and current affairs magazine said Trump had told French President Emmanuel Macron in April that he aimed to push German carmakers out of the United States altogether. Macron’s administration in Paris declined to comment on the report.

....

There was this comment:

i3 is nicknamed Lil'Smokey > Stef Schrader
5/31/18 10:32am

There are 8,800 people working for BMW alone in Spartanburg, SC. Those people, are, I presume, Americans, because it’s in our goddamned country. Or does the cheetoh dust snorting idiot think Germany somehow annexed a US state?

(and Mercedes has 4000 in Alabama)

(and VW has 2000 in Tennessee)

... and those numbers ONLY represent plant jobs. Distribution, dealer, shipping, repair, easily contribute hundreds of thousands more.

Yes, we still import a shit-ton of cars from the outside world (also called “countries”). And - fun fact - did you know that BMW is actually the US’s largest vehicle exporter?

[BadGimp]

45. I thought this was an Onion story

[workinclasszero]

50. MAGA baby!

Subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz
Industry Automotive
Founded 1993
Headquarters Vance, Alabama, United States
Area served
United States
Key people
Jason Hoff, President
Products Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Number of employees
4,000 (2008)
Parent Daimler AG

[Eliot Rosewater]

51. Would cause horrific harm to our economy. This new jobs report will convince his base

that all is fine, though.

When the OBAMA economy is finally gone, and the jobs dry up, then what?

[Zoonart]

52. More chaos...

more fucking with the stock market.
Stocks go down on worries... his friends bail at the top...and buy the bottom... stocks rebound as he backs off... and they all make money... not the first time he has done this.

[unblock]

54. *** the headline has changed *** it's stop imports, not "ban".

just to clarify, the idiocy donnie's talking about doesn't extend to german luxury cars already in the united states.

technical correction.

still stupid as hell.

[lagomorph777]

55. Putin will pay Trump a bonus for this one!

He probably wants us all driving Volgas.

[mainer]

56. Ah, but importing Russian Ladas will probably be just fine

We have to help out our new lord and master Pootie