Mark Cuban calls Trump 'insane' as he threatens 200% tariffs on John Deere tractors if it moved to Mexico

SMITHTON, PENNSYLVANIA: Presidential Candidate Donald Trump told farmers at a roundtable in Pennsylvania on Monday, September 23, that he would significantly increase the price of John Deere tractors if the US-based company decided to move a part of their manufacturing operation to Mexico.

John Deere had announced that it would shift some of its production from Dubuque, Iowa, to Ramos, Mexico, by the end of 2026, reported Business Insider.

The former president's announcement was met with ridicule across social media platforms, with billionaire investor Mark Cuban calling it a terrible idea that would essentially destroy a "legendary American Company."

Donald Trump's warning to John Deere

According to Raw Story, Donald Trump noted that he was fond of John Deere and that his campaign used their tractors as props on Monday.

"I just noticed behind me John Deere tractors. I know a lot about John Deere. I love the company," he shared at the end of the roundtable event. "But as you know, they've announced a few days ago that they're going to move a lot of their manufacturing business to Mexico."

"I'm just notifying John Deere right now. If you do that, we're putting a 200% tariff on everything that you want to sell into the United States so that if I win, John Deere is going to be paying a 200%," he continued.

The former president claimed to be "one of their big customers," but stood firm on his warning. "But if they're going to do that, we're going to put a 200% tariff on everything that they want to send back into the United States," he vowed.

"Our country is going to make a lot of money, or they're not going to build, they're not going to open... or they're going to sell it to another country."

Mark Cuban's take on Donald Trump's announcement

Mark Cuban shredded Donald Trump's take in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the latter's "lack of understanding of business is insane."

"Put a 200% tariff on the American company moving some production to Mexico. But tariff Chinese manufacturers 10 or 20%, so that the Chinese products will be cheaper to sell in the US than the American company," Cuban wrote, explaining how Trump's move would be counterproductive for the American company.

"Good way to destroy a legendary American company and increase costs to American buyers," he added.

Donald Trump blasted over his John Deere tariff threat

People on X brutally slammed Donald Trump and called his announcement to increase tariffs on John Deere tractors by 200% "undeniably dumb".

"He is either undeniably dumb or intentionally trying to lose this election," wrote a user.

"That's not the temperament nor judgment of someone who wants to be president," shared another.

"Only a stable genius would believe increasing the cost of farm equipment would help our farmers," one person stated.

"How is he one of John Deere's biggest customers, pray tell?" asked another.

"He loves to control big corporations and impose things without thinking of the big picture," one person said.

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