Anna’s Upstate Upheaval: Trump’s Comments Ignite Debate Over South Carolina’s Auto Industry

Anna’s Upstate Upheaval: Trump’s Comments Spark Controversy in South Carolina

In an interesting turn of events, former President Donald Trump rubbed some of South Carolina’s leaders the wrong way with his recent comments on automaking. The surge of rage among many was a response to his dismissive view of the auto assembly process and a controversial comment about the non-existence of Mercedes-Benz manufacturing plants in the American land.

In a recent fireside chat with Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief, John Micklethwait, at an event organized by the Economic Club of Chicago on October 15, Trump made it remarkably clear that a new batch of tariffs could lure Mercedes-Benz into building manufacturing plants on U.S. soil.

His comments, however, seemed to undermine South Carolina’s real and significant role in the automobile industry. “They build everything in Germany and then they assemble it here…” Trump stated, effectively overlooking the bustling Mercedes-Benz assembly plant near Charleston, which constructs Sprinter vans part by part.

“You could not get a child to assemble these vans,” responded LaKashia Johnson, the communications lead at Mercedes-Benz Vans Charleston, to the former President’s opinionated remarks.

The Upstate Upset

Trump’s comments though not out-of-character, have raised concerns in the Upstate, particularly in Spartanburg County, where BMW Manufacturing bolsters local economies. Rachel Reisner, the director of regional communications for the Trump Campaign, defended Trump’s remarks, arguing that the ex-President’s proposed trade policies can bring about the growth in national manufacturing and secure jobs.

Meanwhile, several Upstate leaders beg to differ. Among those offended, Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt, invited the former president to assist in assembling a BMW vehicle, to dispel any notions that it’s a child’s play. “I’m gonna let Trump install one of the windows if he thinks an elementary kid could do it,” Britt challenged.

Trump’s stance isn’t without its supporters, however. Brandon Charochak, a spokesperson for S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster, shares Trump’s ambition to increase in-state production and bring more manufacturing to the nation. Members of the political circle, including U.S. Rep. William Timmons, also emphasize the need for America to become a global manufacturing leader.

South Carolina: A Manufacturing Powerhouse

South Carolina is no stranger to the automotive industry. Mercedes-Benz has been assembling vans in Ladson since 2006, generating over 1,700 jobs. Spartanburg County’s proud resident, BMW Manufacturing employs a workforce exceeding 11,000 and operates in an infrastructure spanning 8 million square feet. Volvo Cars’ $1.2 billion Ridgeville plant churns out 150,000 vehicles annually employing around 2,000 workers.

In an effort to clarify their stance, BMW Manufacturing has declared its pride in its 30-year-long legacy in South Carolina and noted that it exports more U.S vehicles than it imports. Experts agree the plant contributes significantly to the state economy, injecting a total economic impact of $26.7 billion and supporting nearly 43,000 jobs and $3.1 billion in wages and salaries.

Sadly, the tone of the discussion surrounding manufacturing in South Carolina leans towards controversy rather than celebration. As a state with a vibrant auto industry, conversations should ideally pivot around growth and innovation. And while disagreements are inevitable in the world of politics, let’s hope the focus returns to steering South Carolina’s auto industry towards an even brighter future soon.