GM Korea's Fate Uncertain as U.S. Auto Tariffs Kick In

GM Korea's Fate Uncertain as U.S. Auto Tariffs Kick In

A fresh wave of significant American auto tariffs has sparked concerns that GM Korea might close down its facility in Bupyeong. This potential action alarms both employees and locals, who argue that it would severely impact the regional economy and mirror the consequences following GM’s departure from Gunsan back in 2018. On April 3rd, just hours following ex-U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of extensive tariffs on imports, the GM Korea facility in Bupyeong, located in Cheongcheon-dong, Incheon, remained abuzz with action. Spanning approximately one million square meters—the equivalent of around 136 football fields—the factory was encircled by an unending flow of workers and vehicles. However, unease lingered underneath. Employees voiced worries over the tariffs, and local inhabitants feared that GM Korea might struggle to recover from this setback and potentially close down for good. The new tariff—a 25% charge on all imported automobiles—came into force at 1:01 p…