Toyota wants to be good company for US citizens after Trump's threats

US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened high penalties if Japanese manufacturer Toyota produces cars in Mexico for the US market. Toyota wants to build a new plant at Baja in Mexico to manufacture Corolla models for the United States. Trump tweeted Thursday, "No way ..."

Japanese automakers are making a significant contribution to providing jobs in the United States. The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Hiroshige Seko, told the Kyodo news agency on Friday, “Toyota wants to be a good company for US citizens. It is important that their efforts are accepted. " However, Toyota's shares fell on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in the first response to Trump's comments on Twitter.

Good Company for US Citizens

Toyota has been part of the culture of the United States for nearly 60 years, with more than $ 21.9 billion in direct investment in ten factories employing 136,000 workers. Toyota chief Akio Toyoda told reporters in New York that his company would consider decisions in relation to proposed deals in Mexico. "Toyota, regardless of the political situation in the country, is always thinking about increasing production in the US and wants to be a good company for US citizens."

Ford, whom Trump has already threatened with fine tariffs if cars are further imported from a neighboring country with low wages. After heavy criticism from Trump, Ford canceled a $ 1.6 billion investment in a new planned plant in San Luis Potosi. Instead, the money is invested in a plant in the United States.