The ice raid at the EV factory asks: How stable the United States?

For years, foreign auto companies have been sending their employees to the United States to open the manufacturing factories and advanced batteries in states such as South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. These plants eventually employ thousands of American workers who build vehicles for both the American and foreign market. They pump billions of dollars to government and federal economies, providing jobs for Americans in rural areas.

So no eyebrows were raised when two companies from South Korea, Hyundai and LG Energy Solutions, sent hundreds of its workers to ELLALLLLL, Georgia, to oversee the construction of an EV battery factory worth $ 7.6 billion.

But then came the enforcement of immigration and customs (ICE). On the fourth of September, the factory Ice officers raided, and they held 475 people, most of them South Koreans. Workers, Many of them were legally hereHands and chains were formed together, which prompted calls from South Korea about possible human rights violations. But moreover, I sent a chilling message to every foreign company looking to invest in the United States.

The United States now says it is very unstable. ” Arthur Watton, Director of Labor Studies at the Faculty of Industrial Relations and Labor at Cornell University. When a company like Hyundai begins a factory in the United States, it sends its best, bright and operating employees. “It has a cooling effect on something that was very natural and a model, especially in the automotive sector for decades,” says Whiton, to take these employees, with chains and detention.

In the aftermath of the raid, Hyundai announced that the battery factory opening will be Up to three months delayed. But in a surprising step, the auto industry also committed An additional $ 2.7 billion To the factory to help finance the second stage of construction. But long -term damage has already been done.

Whiton says the long -term effects of delay may be deep. Hyundai works with Dozens of subcontractors and suppliers Those who build equipment, tools and parts on narrow margins. These companies can be destroyed due to slowdown.

“If the (auto manufacturer) has a cold, suppliers will be sent to the emergency room with pneumonia,” says Whiton, who studied the automotive industry for years. “Small hiccups that may not harm Hyundai can have devastating effects on the supply chain.” The supplier who planned for only 10,000 units may now sell three now after the factory delay, for example. “They do not have deep pockets and resources to absorb the delay,” he added.

while Trump expressed Unfortunately, the ice raid, and long -term diplomatic damage were measured. South Korea has arranged a rented trip to bring the detained workers home (Only to try to delay Trump More with factors) which is Washington prompted the creation of a clearer visa paths For skilled technicians required to launch these high -tech factories and train American workers.

South Korea is one of the most vital EV partners in America. Companies like Hyundai, Battery Makers LG and SK have committed tens of billions of dollars for batteries and continuous projects of EV, and Many withdraw their workers from the United States in the wake of the ice raid in Georgia.

Whiton says the raid also comes at a relatively fragile point for EV in the United States, pointing to the Republicans. Returning EV credit worth $ 7,500Dismantling Environmental and emissions lawsAnd generally Denial and distort climate change actively. The Hyundai advertisement also comes at a time Like General Motors and Ford runs plans for electric cars.

It may take anywhere from five to 10 years for auto -manufacturing companies to design and develop new car models and location, and build and open new manufacturing factories. It also takes billions of dollars in investment.

“The industry wants to settle. They really want to say, give me the rules and follow them,” says Whiton. “The presence of rules that change on a daily basis, because someone does not like what he does, is really frustrating.”

Between changing executive requests, daily tariff battles, and now, ice raids have become the United States increasingly less reliable for international companies such as Hyundai. Trump remains a little more than three years in his term, and his policies and actions may have long -term consequences for all international investment in the United States, Witon said.

“Once Trump leaves his position and has a change in driving, this does not mean that it cannot happen again,” Witon says, noting that the investments made by companies in the United States have been made for decades and generations.

“This causes this pendulum to return,” he says. “Our inability to obtain a stable law has affected foreign investment, because we are no longer able to predict years.”