Trump touts tariffs in midterm pitch to Michigan GM workers

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Or sign-in if you have an account.Michigan is ground zero for some of Trump's trade policies, with an auto industry that has had to rethink supply chains and investment plans as Trump imposed sweeping tariffs. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump championed his economic agenda, including tariffs and the rolling back of environmental regulations, saying they had revived United States auto manufacturing during a visit to a General Motors Co. facility in the midterm battleground of Michigan.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountTrump spoke at a GM facility in Milford in suburban Detroit’s Oakland County, home to blue-collar workers who have been a receptive audience for the president’s populist economic pitch — and will be critical to Republican hopes of keeping control of Congress in November.His trip unfolded week before primary elections that will determine the candidates in a fiercely contested Senate race in the state.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe president said he was “very proud” of GM, praising chief executive Mary Barra and President Mark Reuss for moving some production back from Mexico.“They’re coming back home because, frankly, when they build here, there’s no tariff. It’s really not complicated. A lot of people don’t understand that,” Trump said. “Mary understood it. Her whole group understood it, and they’re coming back home where they belong.”Trump also touted moves to weaken fuel economy and emissions standards from tougher Biden administration mandates and changes he said would make it easier for Detroit to build small cars. And he jabbed at Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers union, who backed Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.“You wouldn’t have an auto industry right now if they got elected,” Trump said.The president has highlighted manufacturing jobs as crucial for workers and the economy, even as polls show the public frustrated with high costs of living and with his war on Iran, which has driven up gasoline prices. Democrats have sought to make the upcoming midterms a referendum on Trump’s economic leadership.Michigan is poised to play a critical role in that struggle. The state has emerged as a key testing ground for Democrats as the party debates what direction to take in the midterms and the 2028 presidential race, with moderate House Representative Haley Stevens and progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed locked in a combative contest.A recent poll showed Stevens leading. The winner of the Democratic primary will likely face Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman who narrowly lost a 2024 Senate race to Elissa Slotkin. Trump has endorsed Rogers, who along with other Michigan GOP candidates joined the president onstage to deliver brief remarks.Trump has stepped up his campaigning in recent weeks in an effort to amplify his economic message. Michigan is in many ways ground zero for some of those policies, with an auto industry that has had to rethink supply chains and investment plans as Trump imposed sweeping tariffs.GM’s Barra has worked to stay in Trump’s good graces after being a frequent target during his first term. This time around, she sided with him on his push to cancel California’s exemption to set emissions rules and got a big break when Trump rolled back vehicle emissions rules.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Trump’s weaker standards mean GM and other automakers can sell more gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs and reap those profits without having to buy clean-air credits from electric vehicle makers like Tesla Inc. or pay fines. GM spent US$3.5 billion on regulatory credits since 2022 and no longer has that burden. GM also won’t have to sell as many electric vehicles, all of which lose money. Lower EV sales and strong prices on its trucks enabled GM to raise its earnings outlook for the year earlier this month.Still, it hasn’t been easy with Trump. GM has said his tariffs would cost the company as much as US$3.5 billion. Thanks to lobbying from GM and other companies, the administration gave some auto tariff relief that enabled GM to give stronger earnings guidance. Later, a Supreme Court decision on certain tariffs meant GM reduced the burden by US$500 million.Barra has praised Trump’s tariffs, saying they create “a level playing field” with other automakers who make more vehicles outside the U.S. The tariffs have also kept Chinese cars out of the U.S. market, protecting the domestic industry in a way the European Commission has failed to do.—With assistance from Hadriana Lowenkron and Jeff Mason.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.