AUBURN HILLS (WWJ) -- Was there a war against American automakers?
Well, Vice President JD Vance promised to end it on Wednesday, making a stop in Michigan to talk manufacturing, and champion the Trump administration’s economic record.
Speaking at Engineering Design Services Inc., a manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Vance said the administration has beenworking to unburden the manufacturing industry by "slashing regulations left and right"
In his 25 minute speech, the VP sought to highlight — and take credit for — a recent boost to the auto industry, which he said is the backbone of Michigan's economy.
"In 2025, last year, new U.S. vehicle sales rose by 2.4%, which is the biggest jump in American-made automobiles since 2019, the last time Donald J. Trump was President," Vance said. "We've seen just in the last six months the effects of our tax policy start to make its way into the Michigan automobile industry."
Vance clamed that Trump's policy's, including from tax cuts and elimination of electric vehicle mandates, have directly benefited Michigan workers.
He pointed to the addition of over 2,000 manufacturing jobs in the state since President Trump took office as an indicator of success.
How did the Trump administration have a hand in that? Vance pointed to Trump's regulatory rollbacks, which he said are allowing companies to reinvest in their workforce.
The VP mentioned the recall of laid-off workers at Detroit Diesel as a sign that their economic strategy is working for "hardworking Michiganders."
Vance also took the opportunity to critique opposition party leadership in Washington and the previous administration, saying former President Joe Biden and the Democrats "were trying to wage war against our American automakers."
Vance said, "They were creating thousands and thousands of pages of new regulations... they were trying to force every single person in this country to drive an electric vehicle until about a year and two months ago, when Donald J. Trump came into the White House and said, 'You know what? We believe you ought to be able to drive whatever the hell car you want in the United States of America because we want people to choose.'"
Highlighting the shift in trade policy, which some have argued harms U.S. automakers, Vance said: "If you want to build right here in the United States of America, you get a big fat tax cut. But if you're trying to undercut the wages of American workers and bring in cheap garbage from overseas, you're going to get a big fat tax increase because we're protecting our workers and we're protecting the jobs that support us."
Beyond economics, Vance also touched on concerns about public safety and border security. He offered this message for those considering who to vote for in the midterm elections in November.
"In just about six months, you're going to be asked to go to the polls, and you're going to be presented a question. Do you support the party that fights for fraud and illegal immigration, or do you support the Republican Party that fights for you, for lower taxes, and for good jobs right here in Michigan?"
Listen the Vance's full remarks here.
Among those responding to Vance's remarks from on the other side of the aisle was Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who represents the district where the VP stopped on Wednesday.
“Donald Trump and J.D. Vance have done nothing but drive up costs for Michigan workers and lose our state thousands of jobs. This visit is more of the same—empty rhetoric and political stunts, not meaningful action to improve lives. Michiganders know the difference," Stevens said, in a statement.
She added: “I’ve visited nearly 200 manufacturing plants across Michigan. I’ve been on the shop floors with workers, listening to their challenges and working to bring jobs back and strengthen our supply chains. That’s what doing the work actually looks like.
“Manufacturing isn’t just a talking point in Michigan. It’s our economy, our livelihoods, and our future. I’ll keep fighting to lower costs, create good-paying jobs, and invest in Michigan’s manufacturing economy. Vance is just passing through.”
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