Carrier: Trump deal doesn’t diminish ‘our belief in the benefits of free trade’

Carrier on Wednesday reaffirmed its dedication to free trade after reaching a deal with President-elect Donald Trump to keep open a manufacturing facility in Indiana. 

{mosads}In a statement, Carrier did not provide further details of the deal, but said incentives offered by Indiana were an “important consideration” in the decision to keep production — and about 1,000 jobs — in the state.

“We are announcing today that Carrier will continue to manufacture gas furnaces in Indianapolis, in addition to retaining engineering and headquarters staff, preserving more than 1,000 jobs,” the company said in a statement. 

“This agreement in no way diminishes our belief in the benefits of free trade and that the forces of globalization will continue to require solutions for the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. and of American workers moving forward.”

Carrier, one of the biggest air conditioning companies in the U.S., announced in March that it would close its facility in Indianapolis and move operations to Mexico, eliminating 1,400 jobs.

Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence, Indiana’s governor, will announce the details of the agreement on Thursday at Carrier’s Indianapolis plant.

“Today’s announcement is possible because the incoming Trump-Pence administration has emphasized to us its commitment to support the business community and create an improved, more competitive U.S. business climate,” the company said.

Trump frequently railed against the move and pledged to force Carrier to keep its jobs in the U.S. while on the campaign trail.

“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Trump told a crowd in Indianapolis in April. “I’ll get a call from the head of Carrier and he’ll say, ‘Mr. President, we’ve decided to stay in the United States.’ That’s what’s going to happen — 100 percent.”

Trump touted the agreement Wednesday as a “great deal for workers.” 

“Big day on Thursday for Indiana and the great workers of that wonderful state.We will keep our companies and jobs in the U.S. Thanks Carrier,” Trump said on Twitter.