Higher tariffs on imported vehicles in US could mean 'smaller' company, fewer jobs, warns General Motors

 General Motors Co warned on Friday that higher tariffs on imported vehicles under consideration by the Trump administration could cost jobs and lead to a "a smaller GM" while isolating U.S. businesses from the global market.

The administration in May launched an investigation into whether imported vehicles pose a national security threat, and U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose a 20% vehicle import tariff. The largest U.S. automaker said in comments filed with the U.S. Commerce Department that overly broad tariffs could "lead to a smaller GM, a reduced presence at home and abroad for this iconic American company, and risk less — not more — U.S. jobs."

Higher tariffs could also hike vehicle prices and reduce sales, GM said. Its comments echoed those from two major U.S. auto trade groups on Wednesday, when they warned that tariffs of up to 25% on imported vehicles would cost hundreds of thousands of auto jobs, dramatically raise prices on vehicles and threaten industry spending on self-driving cars. Even if automakers opted not to pass on higher costs "this could still lead to less investment, fewer jobs, and lower wages for our employees. The carry-on effect of less investment and a smaller workforce could delay breakthrough technologies," GM said.

GM operates 47 U.S. manufacturing facilities and employs about 110,000 people in the United States. It buys tens of billions of dollars worth of parts from U.S. suppliers every year, and has invested over $22 billion in U.S. manufacturing operations since 2009. Still, 30% of the vehicles GM sold on the U.S. market in 2017 were manufactured abroad, according to the Michigan-based Center for Automotive Research. Eighty-six% of those vehicles came from Canada and Mexico, while others came from Europe and China.

Detroit automakers Ford Motor Co and Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles NV also import many of the vehicles they sell in the United States. "The overbroad and steep application of import tariffs on our trading partners risks isolating U.S. businesses like GM from the global market that helps to preserve and grow our strength here at home," GM said. Some aides have said that Trump is pursuing the national security probe to put pressure on Canada and Mexico to agree to concessions in talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.
GM shares closed down about 2.8% on Friday at $39.40.

Toyota Motor Corp filed separate comments opposing the tariffs on Friday saying they would "threaten U.S. manufacturing, jobs, exports, and economic prosperity." The company noted that Trump has repeatedly praised the Japanese automaker for investing in the United States, including a new $1.3 billion joint venture assembly plant in Alabama with Mazda. "These investments reflect our confidence in the U.S. economy and in the power of the administration's tax cuts," Toyota said. Toyota noted that international automakers assembling vehicles in the United States are based in countries including Japan, German and South Korea "that are America's closest allies."

The Commerce Department plans two days of public hearings next month and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said last week he aimed to wrap up the probe into whether imported vehicles represent a national security threat by late July or August. "We have received approximately 2,500 comments already," Ross said in a statement on Friday, adding that he expected more before a midnight deadline. "The purpose of the comment period and of the public hearing scheduled for July 19th and 20th is to make sure that all stakeholders' views are heard, both pro and con. That will enable us to make our best informed recommendation to the President," the statement said. (