FRANKFURT, May 12 (Reuters) - Ford workers at the

U.S. automaker's two plants in Cologne, Germany, will go on

strike on Wednesday, their works council head said on Monday, as

tensions rise over planned job cuts across its European

operations.

Ford said in November last year it would cut around 14% of

its European workforce, mostly in Germany and Britain, blaming

losses due to weak demand for electric vehicles and poor

government support for the shift to the new technology.

The company declined to comment, citing ongoing negotiations

with trade unions. Union IG Metall did not immediately respond

to a request for comment.

Automakers worldwide including Volkswagen, Nissan ( NSANF )

and GM are axing jobs as new competition from

China, weak demand, and the high cost of the transition to

electrification weigh on their finances.

The rollercoaster of Donald Trump's tariff policies has

added further strain, with Ford joining other automakers

including Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis ( STLA ) in

pulling its forecast for 2025 amid the chaos.

Ford's workers in Cologne voted last week in favour of

industrial action, with labour representatives insisting at each

stage of talks that management find alternative measures to

restructure its business.

An agreement struck in March to inject $4.8 billion into its

cash-strapped German unit overrode a deal in place since 2006

that Ford would cover the German subsidiary's losses, drawing

protest from IG Metall.