WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump told The Wall Street Journal on Monday that General Motors should stop making cars in China and make them in the United States instead.
GM said on Monday it would cut thousands from its North American workforce, slash production and eliminate some slow-selling car models.
Trump told reporters he was not happy with GM's decision to idle the Chevy Cruze assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, and that GM had "better put something else" in Ohio.
“You better get back in there soon -- that’s Ohio,” Trump told reporters Monday, recounting what he said to GM CEO Mary Barra following the job cuts announcement earlier Monday. The automaker said it planned to lay off 14,000 workers and close seven factories.
“I was very tough. I spoke with her,” Trump said as he departed the White House for campaign rallies in Mississippi. “We have a lot of pressure on them.”
Ohio is a crucial swing state politically and played a key role in Trump's 2016 victory. He will need to keep his support strong in Ohio for the 2020 election.
Barra reportedly told Trump the decision to halt sales of the Chevrolet Cruze had "nothing to do with tariffs" but was because of poor sales.
"Get a car that is selling well and put it back in," Trump said.
Barra also was expected to meet with Trump's economic adviser Larry Kudlow at the White House on Monday, according to CNBC.
Reuters, Bloomberg and Automotive News staff contributed to this report.
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