General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Barra stated this week that the automaker and former U.S. President Donald Trump are “goal-aligned” on key issues, despite looming policy decisions that could significantly impact GM’s operations. Barra’s comments came during an Automotive Press Association event, where she acknowledged potential challenges posed by Trump’s proposed tariffs and other policy changes.
“We want a strong economy. We want a strong manufacturing base in this country. We agree automotive jobs are important,” Barra said, according to the Detroit Free Press. However, she conceded that the proposed 25% tariff on vehicles imported from Mexico and Canada, where GM operates manufacturing plants, could have a “very substantial impact” on the company’s profitability. Additionally, the potential elimination of the $7,500 electric vehicle (EV) tax credit presents further uncertainty for the automaker.
Barra noted that GM is actively planning for various scenarios to navigate these challenges. “It’s hard for me to predict what will happen,” she remarked. “We’re doing a lot of scenario planning, and we’ll adjust accordingly.”
Despite occasional public disagreements with Trump—who criticized GM on social media over cost-cutting measures—Barra described the former president as a “good listener” and emphasized GM’s commitment to collaborating with the administration. “We’ve been working with every administration for the last several decades, and General Motors will continue to do that,” Barra said, as reported by The Detroit News.
Looking ahead, Barra expressed optimism about fostering the auto industry’s growth and maintaining a robust manufacturing presence in the U.S. “I’m actually looking forward to working with the president and with the administration because I think we can grow the importance of the auto industry and manufacturing,” she added.
Barra’s comments reflect GM’s strategic approach to balancing its business priorities while navigating the potential ramifications of new policies under Trump’s leadership.
