President Donald Trump has criticized Harley-Davidson motorcycle over its plans to shift production away from the United States in order to avoid EU tariffs.
In a tweet, he said he was surprised that Harley-Davidson had become “the first to wave the white flag”.
The motorcycle maker earlier said making bikes for the European market would be transferred to other countries.
The European Union tariffs are a response to new US duties on steel and aluminum imports.
President Trump tweeted: “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”
On June 25, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at a briefing that the EU was “attempting to punish US workers with unfair and discriminatory trade policies”.
He added: “President Trump will continue to push for free, fair and reciprocal trade, in hopes that the EU will join us.”
The Wisconsin-based company said the increased costs from the EU tariffs were a “substantial” burden and a threat to its international sales, which it has been trying to expand.
Harley-Davidson has assembly plants in Australia, Brazil, India and Thailand as well as in the US.
The company said it would raise investment in its international plants, though it did not say which ones, adding that it expected the increase in production to take nine to 18 months.
Harley-Davidson said the tariffs would add, on average, $2,200 to each bike exported to Europe from the US as the import tax increases from 6% to 31%.
Harley-Davidson has decided to recall nearly 46,000 motorcycles in the US because they could stay in gear due to clutches that won’t fully disengage.
The current recall covers certain Electra Glide, Ultra Limited, Police Electra Glide, Street Glide, Road Glide and Road King models from the 2014 and 2015 model years.
Harley-Davidson says in documents that gas bubbles can cause the clutch master cylinder to lose its ability to fully disengage the clutch, especially if the bike has been parked for a long time. This could cause a rider to lose control of the motorcycle if it’s started in gear.
The problem was found through customer complaints.
Harley-Davidson reported 27 crashes and four minor injuries.
Harley-Davidson has revealed its first electric motorcycle.
The bike will not go on general sale, instead the iconic manufacturer will select customers from the US to ride it and provide feedback.
Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle (photo Harley-Davidson)
Dubbed Project LiveWire – the motorcycle will travel down the US’s Route 66 visiting more than 30 Harley-Davidson dealerships between now and the end of the year.
Fans had a mixed reaction to the bike.
“Project LiveWire is more like the first electric guitar – not an electric car,” said Mark-Hans Richer, senior vice president at Harley-Davidson Motor Company.
“It’s an expression of individuality and iconic style that just happens to be electric. Project LiveWire is a bold statement for us as a company and a brand.”
In a teaser video released by Harley-Davidson a motorcycle is seen driving down Route 66 almost without noise.
Pope Francis’ Harley-Davidson has been sold for 210,000 euros ($284,000) at Bonhams auction in Paris.
The motorbike was auctioned to raise money for a charity for the homeless in Rome.
It was sold to an anonymous phone bidder.
The 1,585cc Dyna Super Glide was signed, but apparently never ridden by the pontiff.
Pope Francis’ Harley-Davidson has been sold for 210,000 euros at Bonhams auction in Paris
The motorbike was given to Pope Francis in June, to mark Harley-Davidson’s 110th anniversary.
The reserve price was a modest 12,000 euros, but Ben Walker, from auction house Bonhams, hinted before the auction that it could sell for more than that.
There were so many bidders there were not enough phone lines to cope and some potential buyers were turned away.
A leather jacket which accompanied the motorbike also sold for 50,000 euros.
Pope Francis blessed crowds of motorcyclists at the Vatican for the 110th anniversary of Harley-Davidson.
Leather-clad bikers lifted their arms to greet the pontiff as he was driven up the avenue leading to St Peter’s Square to celebrate mass and give his Sunday angelus. Some had “Papa Francesco” (Pope Francis) flags fixed to their bikes, which were parked all the way down the Via della Conciliazione among the trinket shops and snack stands.
Pope Francis blessed crowds of motorcyclists at the Vatican for the 110th anniversary of Harley-Davidson
Later, after celebrating a mass attended by men and women in Harley vests among the faithful, many of whom were involved in a two-day anti-abortion event, Pope Francis greeted the “numerous participants” of the anniversary festivities. In a nod to the other large contingent in the crowd, he also offered prayers for “every human life, especially the most fragile, defenceless and threatened.”
Emmanuele Jaconi, an Italian biker, said he saw nothing strange in the juxtaposition. “Just because we’re motorcyclists doesn’t mean we’re not Catholics,” he said.
Marcel Taschenhofer, who had come from Rostock in northern Germany, said he was not religious and was a little disappointed not to be able to ride his bike right into St Peter’s Square. He added: “It’s just a hobby. We like to drive our bikes around, and if the pope thinks it’s good then all the better.”
Rome was invaded by thousands of motorcyclists for the four-day celebration, during which Pope Francis – in something of a marketing coup for the Wisconsin-based manufacturer – was given two white Harley-Davidsons for the Vatican police force, as well as a black leather vest with an eagle on the back.
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