Chairman Chung told reporters at the completion ceremony of Hyundai Motor Group’s Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Ellabel, Georgia, on the same day, “After the announcement of tariffs, negotiations must be led by the government and individual companies must also do so, so I think that will be the beginning.” Chairman Chung said, “Since we have only one company (investment in USD 21 billion) that we have announced, I don’t think it will have a big impact on tariffs. Since tariffs are a country-to-country issue, I don’t think that how one company does it will change its tariff policy significantly.” “If (Hyundai Motor Group’s investment in the U.S. has a little good impact, I think it is worth our efforts,” he said. “So I think April 2nd (the date of the announcement of tariffs) will be a very important time.”
Regarding the announcement of the investment plan at the White House, Chairman Chung said, “Originally, we invited (President Trump) to the plant here, but (President Trump) said it would be better to announce it at the White House after hearing that we will build a plant with iron-making electricity in Louisiana. That’s why we decided to make the announcement there.” He added, “It was a great honor, and it was an honor to be with the governor and the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives.” On the reason for the investment in the U.S., Chairman Chung said, “Rather than building factories or steel mills in preparation for tariffs, the time comes when we have to make low-carbon steel for vehicles to be produced in the U.S. and sell them, so we are preparing for that.” Regarding the future investment plan, Chairman Chung said, “It will be an investment in parts or iron plates that will be used for parts,” adding, “We believe that the investment will be focused on new technologies such as robotics and future aviation mobility (AAM).”
In particular, Chairman Chung said in his welcome speech, “Hyundai Motor Group does not just invest in technology and automobiles, but more than anything, it invests in relationships,” adding, “We’re not here just to build a factory, but to take root.” Chairman Chung continued, “(HMGMA) will produce not only electric cars but also hybrid cars, and we will make the model we want in the market here and focus on operating it among factories around the world.”
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
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