President Trump Pushes GM CEO to Reopen Lordstown Auto Plant

In a series of tweets from Saturday to Sunday, President Donald Trump made it clear that he was aggressively advocating for the reopening of the Lordstown Assembly Complex in Ohio.

Because the economy is so good, General Motors must get their Lordstown, Ohio, plant open, maybe in a different form or with a new owner, FAST! Toyota is investing 13.5 $Billion in U.S., others likewise. G.M. MUST ACT QUICKLY. Time is of the essence!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2019

On Thursday Toyota, the Japanese automaker announced that it intended to invest more than $13 billion in their American workforce, up $3 billion from their initial 2017 announcement. “The new plan includes adding 600 jobs at U.S. manufacturing plants, the company said. Toyota said it intends to increase production capacity and renovate factories in Huntsville, Alabama; Buffalo, West Virginia; Troy, Missouri; and Jackson, Tennessee.” Conversely, GM is currently executing its strategy to close 5 plants across the country, including the Lordstown plant; the first to be officially closed.

Democrat UAW Local 1112 President David Green ought to get his act together and produce. G.M. let our Country down, but other much better car companies are coming into the U.S. in droves. I want action on Lordstown fast. Stop complaining and get the job done! 3.8% Unemployment!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2019

As previously reported, the plant’s workforce is represented by the The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, commonly known as the United Automobile Workers (UAW). This representation may have been an issue for at least one potential buyer. Elon Musk, who expressed interest in purchasing the plant for Tesla Motors production has a long and strained relationship with the UAW. When asked about the potential buyer,  GM CEO Barra stated: “Tesla is not interested in our GM workforce represented by the UAW, so really, it’s a moot point.”

Just spoke to Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors about the Lordstown Ohio plant. I am not happy that it is closed when everything else in our Country is BOOMING. I asked her to sell it or do something quickly. She blamed the UAW Union — I don’t care, I just want it open!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2019

The last announcement – that he had called the CEO directly – surprised many. Both former Governor John Kasich and current Ohio Governor Mike DeWine had engaged in talks with the CEO over the past two years. From the onset of these conversations, Governor Kasich seemed convinced that, should the plant find a second life, it would not be one with GM. In response to the President’s tweets, GM released a statement, noting that “We remain open to talking with all the affected stakeholders, but our main focus remains on our employees and offering them jobs in our plants where we have growth opportunities.

President Trump has a history of directly engaging with corporate CEO when it comes to domestic manufacturing. When Carrier parent company CEO Greg Hayes unveiled plans to move manufacturing to Mexico, and Apple CEO, Tim Cook, announced plans to increase manufacturing in China, the President negotiated with both CEO’s in the hope of keeping their plant’s in the US.

The Lordstown plant, originally opened more than 50 years ago, was “idled” Wednesday, March 6th of this year. The closure was a massive blow for the local Lordstown community that left many uncertain if the town would survive. The plant is still technically open and GM maintains that it could relaunch production, should the plant find new use.

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Andrew Shirley is a reporter at Battleground State News and The Ohio Star. Send tips to [email protected].