Harley Davidson's plan to move plant operations out of the US is an 'excuse': Trump

In a series of tweets, Trump said Harley Davidson is using the ongoing trade or tariff war as an "excuse".

Trump tweeted, "Early this year Harley-Davidson said they would move much of their plant operations in Kansas City to Thailand. That was long before Tariffs were announced. Hence, they were just using Tariffs/Trade War as an excuse. Shows how unbalanced & unfair trade is, but we will fix it....."

"....We are getting other countries to reduce and eliminate tariffs and trade barriers that have been unfairly used for years against our farmers, workers and companies. We are opening up closed markets and expanding our footprint. They must play fair or they will pay tariffs!"

"....When I had Harley-Davidson officials over to the White House, I chided them about tariffs in other countries, like India, being too high. Companies are now coming back to America. Harley must know that they won’t be able to sell back into U.S. without paying a big tax!"

He has also said that Harley Davidson should never be built in any other country.

Trump said: "A Harley-Davidson should never be built in another country-never! Their employees and customers are already very angry at them. If they move, watch, it will be the beginning of the end - they surrendered, they quit! The Aura will be gone and they will be taxed like never before!"

The company reportedly said the increasing costs from the European Union (EU) tariffs had hindered its expansion.

Apart from the US, the company has plants in Australia, Brazil, India and Thailand.