Financially it's a smart move for the MoCo. By building overseas they can avoid the trade tariffs and make the company more money. And by employing foreign workers they may build a better relationship with foreign governments as they no doubt will have to pay fees, licensing, taxes and all that. If the MoCo is able to, they should move production to a poor 3rd world country where labor is really cheap, and there are few if any enforced restrictions on industrial waste. A Harley made in Pakistan and sent to Europe does not bear the same trade tariff as one made in the USA. They can pay pennies on the dollar for day labor, and dump waste without fear of environmental reprisals.
We might benefit too. With cheaper wages, no unions, and no EPA guidelines perhaps the cost of the bikes and parts might come down a bit. Or the profit could go to those at the top.
The only folks getting the short end of the deal are the American workers who may lose their jobs and the communities that depend on their income. I'm not saying it's right, but I guess that's what comes with it.
Unemployment
The U.S. Unemployment Rate Is Now the Lowest It's Been This Century. ... The jobless rate fell to 3.9%, the lowest since December 2000, after six months at 4.1%.
Job Openings
On the last business day of April, the job openings level was little changed but reached a new series
high of 6.7 million. The series began in December 2000. The job openings rate was 4.3 percent in April
2018. The number of job openings was little changed for total private and for government. Job openings
increased in durable goods manufacturing (+33,000) and information (+26,000) but decreased in finance
and insurance (-84,000). The number of job openings was little changed in all four regions.
Personal Observations on Jobs
I was driving the backcountry roads of Missouri and Kansas my last trip. Lots of "Jobs Available" signs on gas stations, convenience stores, and small manufacturing plants. I'm sure any displaced workers can find a job if they really want one, maybe even two jobs since a lot of jobs these days are part-time to reduce the burden of benefits costs on employers.