John Deere is under fire after announcing another wave of layoffs in the U.S. while shifting production to Mexico. The latest cuts impact nearly 300 workers in Illinois and Iowa, pushing this year’s total layoffs to around 2,100. As the American workforce shrinks, production is reportedly moving south of the border—a move criticized by employees and politicians alike.
Deere executives claim the layoffs are due to a dip in demand from farmers grappling with lower crop prices. However, some workers see it differently. One employee, remaining anonymous for fear of backlash, summed up the feeling on the ground: “The only reason for Deere to do this is greed.” The sentiment follows Deere’s recent profits of over $10 billion in 2023 and a CEO compensation package topping $26.7 million. Former President Donald Trump, eyeing the relocation plans, has threatened a hefty 200% tariff on Deere’s imports if they proceed with manufacturing shifts abroad.
The tractor giant, which historically employs thousands across the Midwest, is facing calls to prioritize U.S. jobs, despite pointing to a $2 billion investment in U.S. factories since 2019. Still, with layoffs looming and jobs moving abroad, John Deere’s “commitment to U.S. manufacturing” has left many employees and communities unconvinced.
