Harley-Davidson will take 'big hit' for moving some production overseas: Trump warns

President Donald Trump has warned Harley-Davidson that it is going to take "a big hit" for moving some of its production overseas and said it was a shame that the company made the decision even though he got India to reduce import duties on the iconic motorcycles.

Trump said the Wisconsin-based motorcycle manufacturer risks losing American customers if it shifts production overseas amidst the tit-for-tat tariff war with the European Union (EU).

"I have feeling that maybe Harley, I think they're going to take a big hit. I just think it's a great American product. Our people have more pride then they used to have. I really believe that Harley's going to take a (hit)-- the people that are buying Harley-Davidson, they don't want it built in another country, Trump told Fox News.

Harley-Davidson has annouced that it is moving some of its production overseas to avoid tariffs on bikes sold in the EU. Trump's decision to levy tariffs on steel and aluminum from the 28-member bloc and other countries triggered the move.

Trump cautioned against Harley-Davidson moving overseas, saying, "I think that Harley is an American bike. It's an American motorcycle and they should build them in this country."
Harley-Davidson in its US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing last week said that new retaliatory tariffs by the EU (an increase from six per cent to 31 per cent) will result in an incremental cost of approximately USD 2,200 on an average motorcycle exported from the US to the