"To Avoid Tariffs, GE to Invest $3 Billion in Moving Appliance Plants from China and Mexico to the U.S."

GE Appliances Unveils Five-Year Investment Strategy
Relocating Production from China and Mexico to the U.S.
Aiming to Ease Tariff Pressure and Create Jobs

GE Appliances, a home appliance company established after China's Haier acquired General Electric (GE)'s appliance division in 2016, will invest $3 billion (approximately 4.1 trillion won) over the next five years to relocate its production facilities from China and Mexico to the United States. The company aims to ease U.S. government tariff pressures, modernize its factories, and create jobs.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and AP News, on August 13 (local time), GE Appliances announced that it will expand and relocate its refrigerator, gas range, and water heater production lines to five U.S. states: Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina. This investment is the second largest in the company's history and is expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs in the United States.

Home appliances from GE Appliances. AP·Yonhap News

In June, GE Appliances also announced a plan to invest $490 million to move its Chinese washing machine production line to Kentucky, and this plan is included in the current investment package as well.

Chief Executive Officer Kevin Nolan stated, "I think it's clear now that building (production facilities) in the U.S. is a good idea because of the tariffs." He added, "No appliance company has invested more in U.S. manufacturing over the past 10 years than we have," emphasizing, "This plan demonstrates that our commitment to U.S. manufacturing will continue into the future."

Global companies are announcing plans to expand production facilities in the U.S. due to the Trump administration's sweeping tariff measures and pressure to attract investment.

Last month, the WSJ reported that Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) company, would delay the groundbreaking of its second factory in Japan because it is focusing on expanding its facilities in the United States.

Global pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, Roche, and Novartis have also announced investment plans in the U.S. after President Trump stated that more medicines sold in the U.S. should be manufactured domestically.