GM Korea President Hector Villarreal takes a look at Trax Crossover at GM Changwon Plant. (Image courtesy of GM Korea)
SEOUL, March 8 (Korea Bizwire) — As concerns grow over potential U.S. auto tariffs under Donald Trump’s administration, executives and union leaders from GM Korea are set to visit General Motors’ headquarters in the United States to discuss the company’s future operations.
According to the GM Korea chapter of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU), representatives from both management and labor will travel to Michigan from March 15 to 22 to meet with GM’s senior executives and inspect key manufacturing facilities.
The delegation includes Hector Villarreal, CEO of GM Korea, and Robert Trim, VP of Labor Relations, representing the company, while Ahn Kyu-baek, head of the GM Korea union, and Kim Jong-su, chairman of the Changwon branch, will represent the workers.
GM Korea (image: Yonhap)
Discussions on Production Plans and Tariff Impact
During their meetings with GM’s top brass, including Jensen Peter Clausen, VP of Global Manufacturing, and Shilpan Amin, President of GM International (GMI), the GM Korea delegation aims to clarify how GM’s global strategy will impact its South Korean operations, particularly regarding new vehicle production.
The union has long expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in production plans and has been pushing for more electric vehicle (EV) production to be allocated to GM Korea plants. The upcoming discussions are expected to address these concerns, particularly amid heightened uncertainty caused by Trump’s proposed 25% auto tariffs on imports.
To gain further insight into the company’s global direction, the GM Korea delegation will visit several GM facilities in Michigan, including the Romulus Engine Plant, Factory Zero Assembly Center, and Lansing Delta Township plant, where they will assess both internal combustion engine and EV production trends.
This photo provided by GM Korea Co. shows its Trax Crossover compact SUV model. (Yonhap)
Union to Strengthen Global Collaboration
In addition to engaging with GM executives, the GM Korea union leaders will meet with United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain and other UAW officials to discuss strengthening the global GM labor network. This collaboration comes as unions worldwide brace for potential disruptions in the auto industry due to shifting trade policies and manufacturing strategies.
Domestic Discussions on Tariff Impact
Before the U.S. visit, the Korea GM union will hold a policy forum on March 13 at the Bupyeong plant to assess the impact of Trump’s potential tariffs on GM Korea’s operations. The discussion, titled “Trump 2.0 Auto Tariff Shock and Its Impact on Korea GM,” will include lawmakers from the Democratic Party, Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and Progressive Party, as well as industry experts such as Hwang Hyun-il, a professor at Changwon University.
Uncertainty Over GM Korea’s Future
GM Korea, which exports 85% of its vehicles to the U.S., faces mounting speculation about a possible exit from the South Korean market due to the looming tariffs. The 25% tariff proposal has raised alarms within the company, putting long-term viability and production strategies under scrutiny.
“We will use our meetings with GM executives to gain a clearer understanding of the situation and work with management to develop a crisis response strategy,” a union representative stated.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
