New Balance sees Twitter backlash after it backs Trump

ANGRY consumers are posting videos on social media that show them burning their New Balance trainers, after the brand publicly congratulated the new President Elect on his victory.

The US company has strong ties with the North West – its European headquaters are in Birchwood, it has a manufuring plant employing 200 staff in Cumbria and subsidiary Warrior Sports makes Liverpool FC’s kit.

Its vice president of public affairs Matt LeBretton said: “The Obama administration turned a deaf ear to us and frankly with President Elect Trump we feel things are going to move in the right direction.”

He also suggested the decision to endorse Trump was, influenced by his opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership – a trade deal between America and 11 other countries.

The statement resulted in people across the US taking to social media to share videos showing them burning their trainers or putting them in the bin.

The company has since back tracked, issuing another statement. It said: “As the only major company that still makes athletic shoes in the United States, New Balance has a unique perspective on trade and trade policy in that we want to make more shoes in the United States, not less.  

“New Balance publicly supported the trade positions of Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump prior to election day that focused on American manufacturing job creation and we continue to support them today.”

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