Workers at Whirlpool Corporation are criticizing the company for cutting jobs at an Iowa plant while bolstering production in Mexico.

Whirlpool, the U.S.’s largest appliance manufacturer has claimed Donald Trump’s tariff policies, will help bolster U.S. manufacturing. But, according to the Guardian, the company announced that, effective 9 March, some 341 jobs are being cut at the Whirlpool plant in Amana, Iowa, on top of  250 jobs that were cut in July 2025. The plant produces refrigerators under the Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, and Amana brands. According to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union (IAM) officials, the company has informed them that more cuts are on the way later this year.

Meanwhile, Whirlpool opened a new manufacturing facility in Mexico in August 2025, and union officials and workers say their manufacturing work and jobs have been moved there.

During Trump’s first term, Whirlpool ascertained tariffs on imported washing machines, which is the company’s competition, calling it a win “for American workers and consumers alike.” In 2020 Trump gave a speech at a Whirlpool plant in Ohio, calling the company a “shining example” of the “buy American and hire American” policies his administration was pursuing.

According to the conservative think tank Heritage, those tariffs drove up prices of the appliances, costing consumers $1.5 billion annually and decreasing demand.

Whirlpool applauded Trump’s more recent round of tariffs, announced in 2025, and said it was making a $300 million investment in Ohio, with the creation of 400 to 600 jobs. Whirlpool claims 80% of its U.S. sales are produced in the U.S..

Whirlpool noted in its most recent earnings call in January 2026 that tariffs cost them $300 million in 2025.

Sam Cicinelli, the Midwest territory general vice-president for IAM, criticized Whirlpool for the layoffs, and told the Guardian that Whirlpool has a history of laying off workers in Iowa in search for cheaper labor.

The White House did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Whirlpool did not comment on the union’s complaints about offshoring to Mexico. The company said in a statement: “Our recent announcement is part of a multi-year modernization plan that will transform the plant into a dynamic operation that will continue to produce best-in-class refrigerators, while also incorporating warehousing, parts production and sub-assembly work. This transformation is necessary to position the Amana plant for continued stability and success. We are committed to supporting affected employees through this transition.”

The company emphasized its continued support for Trump’s tariff policies.

“We are confident that the U.S. administration will continue to take strong actions to support domestic manufacturing and American workers,” the company added. “The announcement of a new 15% global tariff under Section 122, the opening of new trade investigations and existence of previously-negotiated trade agreements gives us continued confidence that Whirlpool Corporation will ultimately benefit from trade policies aimed at leveling the playing field for U.S. manufacturers.”