Senator Cruz promotes job creation during visit to a manufacturer in Abilene

US Senator Ted Cruz today toured Abilene-based manufacturer Hartmann's Inc. Hartmann's produces products for a range of industries, including medical, aerospace and automotive. The US Small Business Administration has named Hartmann's the 2023 Exporter of the Year for the South Central region. Its top export destinations are Japan and the European Union.
But CEO Alan Hartmann says not all conditions are equal, and he welcomed the opportunity to share his thoughts with Senator Cruz on how to make America's manufacturing industry more competitive: “Companies that produce more cost-effectively don't always have the world's health interests in mind.”

Hartmann laid out his ideas for calculating import tariffs using a ranking system: “America is here,” Hartmann pointed to a high position with his hand. “Where are these competing companies ranked, what health insurance benefits do they offer their employees, what are the working conditions, child labor and/or human trafficking, environmental concerns from the EPA, insurance concerns? Because those are things we all have to do to make a great product. You don't have to.”

After the tour, Senator Cruz said his top priority was jobs: “Two-thirds of all new jobs come from small businesses. When you create an environment where small businesses thrive, grow and expand, you create many, many jobs.”

Cruz said his recipe for job creation is to cut taxes and regulations. Cruz did not comment on his tariff plans, but Hartmann said he felt the senator was open-minded.