Hyundai case, Trump to foreign companies: 'Hire American workers'

After the raid on the Hyundai electric car battery factory in Georgia that led to the arrest of more than 300 South Korean workers, Donald Trump warns foreign companies to hire 'legal' workers. "I urge all foreign companies investing in the United States to comply with our country's immigration laws. Your investments are welcome and we encourage you to legally employ your brightest, most technically talented employees to make world-class products," the president wrote on Truth. 'We will ensure that this is done quickly and legally. In return, we ask you to hire and train American workers. Together, we will all work hard to make our country not only productive, but also more united than ever," Trump added.

South Korean authorities are seeking the release of the 300 citizens. The Korean workers could board a charter flight around Wednesday to return home, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing statements by Consul General Cho Ki-joong, and leave the Georgia detention centre where the workers are being held.

"We have to find a way to bring in experts so that our employees can be trained and can do it themselves," Trump said. The crackdown has shaken South Korea and raised doubts about the country's willingness and ability to keep its promises to the Trump administration to invest hundreds of billions more in the US.

Seoul expressed its disappointment at the arrests and the release of footage showing the operation, which involved armoured vehicles and chained workers. Hyundai Motor is one of the largest foreign investors in the US and is among the South Korean companies participating in the country's pledge to allocate a $350 billion fund for the US market.

A Hyundai Motor spokesperson said that some employees have been asked to suspend non-essential travel to the United States. LGES has also suspended staff business trips to the US, except in exceptional cases, and will recall South Korean employees currently in the country.