SC Gov. McMaster: Trump erred in washing machine, solar panel tariffs

S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster said Tuesday the Trump Administration erred when it imposed tariffs on washing machines and solar panels.

Trump acted Tuesday, hitting Chinese-made solar panels and washing machines made by South Korean-based Samsung, which has opened a new plant in the Palmetto State.

It is not clear how the tariffs will impact hundreds of South Carolinians already employed by Samsung, said the Republican governor, a long-time backer of President Donald Trump.

South Carolina was “unable to convince Washington, D.C," not to impose the tariffs, McMaster told a S.C. Chamber of Commerce forum.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said Monday that Trump would proceed with tariffs of up to 50 percent on large residential washing machines imported into the United States by South Korea-based Samsung.

He also has decided to put 30 percent tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels brought into the United States. Those panels are part of a solar energy boom in South Carolina that employs thousands and is good for the state, McMaster said.

The Trump administration said the measure was part of the Republican president’s pledge to protect U.S. workers and companies. Instead, it could cost S.C. jobs.

Samsung opened an appliance plant in Newberry this month. It already has hired more than 600 workers and plans to employ as many as 1,000 by 2020.

Asked whether those 600 jobs were safe, McMaster said Samsung is "analyzing the entire situation."

McMaster said he spoke to Samsung representatives Monday. They expressed disappointment, he said.

McMaster did not place blame on Trump for the move, instead saying he and Samsung were disappointed in the recommendations made by the International Trade Commission.

“They made an error,” McMaster said. “I’m disappointed, but we’ll work on it. We’ll do what we can to make sure that Samsung’s investment is strong and productive for the people of our state.”

McMaster has lobbied the Trump Administration not to place sanctions on washing machines and solar panels.

McMaster said he “tried his best to present the facts” to members of the Trump Administration, as did others, including U.S. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill.

“I didn’t expect this to be the end result,” Norman told McClatchy. “It’s a real setback.”

McMaster said he has not spoken to Trump or others in his administration about Monday’s announcement.

“I’ve talked to committees, to the commissioners and all involved – even President Trump earlier,” he said. “They are well aware of how we in South Carolina feel about this.”

This story was originally published January 23, 2018 at 4:12 PM with the headline "SC Gov. McMaster: Trump erred in washing machine, solar panel tariffs."