US-based truck manufacturer Mack Trucks has announced plans to lay off between 250 and 350 employees at its Lehigh Valley Operations center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, due to economic uncertainty caused by US tariffs. The move is expected to be completed over the next three months.
According to a company spokesperson, heavy-duty truck orders have been negatively impacted by market uncertainty regarding freight rates, demand, regulatory changes, and the effect of tariffs. The spokesperson stated that the layoffs are necessary to align production with reduced demand for vehicles.
The plant in Macungie employs approximately 3,050 workers. Union leaders confirmed the company’s decision to lay off employees, citing a decline in the market due to reduced demand.
State Representative Josh Siegel has described the layoffs as a “clear signal of the economic instability fueled by the Trump administration’s chaotic tariff policies.” He attributes the problem to erratic and poorly targeted tariffs that have led to supply chain disruptions, soaring costs, and decreased confidence among employers.
The decision comes amid ongoing debate about the impact of US tariffs on industries such as trucking and manufacturing. Mack Trucks’ layoffs are a result of President Donald Trump’s 2018 tariff announcement, which aimed to return manufacturing to the US and generate billions of dollars for the US Treasury.
Source: https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/mack-trucks-announces-layoffs-at-lehigh-valley-plant-blames-tariffs