Trump Repeats False Claims on Chinese Auto Factories

Former President Trump has again floated false claims that Chinese automakers are constructing large factories in Mexico. Speaking in Flint, Michigan, on Tuesday, he pledged 200% tariffs on vehicles from these non-existent plants and warned that if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the election, the US auto industry would collapse. Industry analysts say no significant Chinese auto plants are under construction right now in Mexico, which only boasts a small assembly facility by JAC.

Trump emphasized that if he loses, the US auto industry will vanish within "two to three years" due to reliance on electric cars manufactured in China. He promised to force foreign automakers to establish US factories by imposing tariffs, likening it to "taking candy from a baby." Foreign automakers already operate numerous plants in the US, primarily in southern states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows auto jobs fell 0.8% during Trump's term and stood at 949,000 in January 2021. As of August, there were 1.07 million auto jobs in the US. Auto sales also rose 2.4% in the first half of 2024. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)