This response from Deere came after an MSN article titled “John Deere Freezes US Manufacturing in Unprecedented Shutdown" surfaced.
“One of America’s great farm equipment suppliers, John Deere, is making a radical move that some may think is “un-American,” Kieran Schalkwyk writes in the piece.
Deere isn’t planning to completely shut down U.S. manufacturing.
It has, however, laid off employees and ordered temporary plant closures.
These decisions are happening because of difficult economic conditions, the company says.
“They are not related to production moves,” John Deere told the Des Moines Register in February 2025. “As we have repeatedly stated, these layoffs are due to the weakened farm economy and a reduction in customer orders for our equipment.”
John Deere has been responding to people on social media about the state of its manufacturing in the U.S. and its decisions to layoff workers.
The company repeated its commitment to invest $20 billion in the next 10 years.
And when asked about the almost 400 layoffs so far this year, Deere’s X account said it’s because orders are down.
The company is moving some production south of the border.
Deere is building a plant in Ramos, Mexico, which once completed will produce mid-frame skid steer loaders and compact track loaders.