Trump’s deal sets a bad precedent for the nation: #tellusatoday

President-elect Donald Trump tweeted Sunday that he’ll impose a 35% tax on U.S. companies that move jobs or operations to other countries — after announcing a deal with Carrier to keep 1,000 manufacturing jobs in the United States. Facebook comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

Trump promised to punish companies that move factories overseas with taxes on their imported products.

Great example of Trump’s rhetoric being much different than his actions. Instead of actually fighting for the workers, he found a way to give away millions in Indiana taxpayer dollars and announced to every manufacturing company in the U.S.: Get in line for Trump-brand corporate welfare.

— Raffi Roupen

That fact is that tax breaks were offered to keep some of the Carrier jobs in the U.S. while others will still be shifted south of the border. It also raises the problem that other companies will use this example as leverage in the future — ransom if you will — when they threaten to leave the country unless some break is given to them.

The deal given to Carrier could have been done months ago when it announced its plans to leave Indiana. Vice President-elect Mike Pence had the power then as he does now as governor. The people of Indiana will be paying for this for years to come.

Sorry folks, but you’re being fed grape juice and being told to believe it’s wine.

I don’t like the fact that Trump will be our president (I think it will be disastrous), but I’m willing to give him a shot. He needs to stop trying to deceive the American people, though.

— Andrew Kleinwaks

Tariffs on imports to outsourcers would make such moves unprofitable.

That seems like an obvious solution to me. The reduction in tax revenue from Carrier will have to be recouped somewhere. I think it is a slippery slope.

— John Imhof

Granted, it upsets me when companies lay off thousands of Americans to move jobs overseas to cut costs, but we can’t bully them to stay here. A better solution is needed.

Also, if companies stay, is he going to offer them “incentives” as well like he did for Carrier?

— Nikita Scott

Our followers shared their thoughts on the Carrier deal and whether President-elect Donald Trump will he be able to replicate it nationwide. Tweets are edited for clarity and grammar:

No. Not all companies are in Vice President-elect Mike Pence’s state or able to be bribed with defense contract promises.

— @MMS1282

President Obama did nothing to save jobs in the past eight years. Trump will do better, easily.

— @Sport_stock

Pence sold out taxpayers to make him and Trump look like heroes.

— @SaboriSylvia

Stay or be taxed harder than you ever imagined. Yes, I think it will work all over the nation.

— @Me_you_and_USa

I think the era of strong-arm political blackmail is here. Not exactly presidential behavior but then, nothing he does is.

— @butchzaphod

For more, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday.