MILFORD, Mich. (WWJ) -- President Trump is claiming that his tariffs have helped Michigan workers, U.S. automakers, and in General Motors in particular.
The Republican president's statements comes as he defended his economic policies during a visit Monday afternoon to the GM Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan; about 25 miles northwest of Detroit.
"In 18 months we've slashed our trade deficit with China by the largest amount in history; nobody can believe it," Trump said, to applause from the gathered crowd. "You know, if you get it down a half-a-point it's a lot. We got our trade deficit down by 71%. 71% word-wide."
"One year ago our country was dead, and now we are the hottest country anywhere in the world. We're the hottest country; everybody is respecting us. You know, they respect us again."
Under Trump's "America First" agenda, the administration claims that American automakers are now investing, hiring, and expanding at a pace not seen in decades.
In his Milford speech, Trump pledged to bring manufacturing back to America, to rebuild the auto industry, and put Michiganders back to work.
"In 2026, GM increased truck and SUV production by 20%, and in the past two years the company's invested $9 billion in bringing factories home to the USA," Trump said.
"They're coming back home because, frankly, when they build here there's no tariff; it's really not that complicated," he said. "A lot of people don't understand that. They say, 'Oh, what does it mean?' They have no idea; they don't have a clue. But (GM CEO) Mary (Barra) understood it, her whole group understood it, and they're coming back home where the belong. So I just want to congratulate General Motors. That's why I'm here today: I've very proud of General Motors."
General Motors took issue with media reports that the company was hosting a "Trump rally" on Monday. In reality, GM said, the White House requested the venue for the president to "deliver an address."
Both supporters and critics of President Trump gathered in Milford, Michigan, ahead of his visit to the GM Proving Grounds.
Provided by local resident to WWJ Newsradio 950 - used with permission
Among those responding to the president's statements in Michigan is Defend America Action — a progressive research and advocacy group — which says Trump "paraded through Michigan to peddle a manufacturing fantasy that the data doesn’t back up."
The group shared a report on Monday that is says shows Michigan families are getting squeezed harder than ever, and the state’s auto industry is buckling under his own policies.
Defend America Action claims the latest numbers show Michigan grocery prices have surged 27% since 2019, and Detroit families now spend more of their income on groceries than residents of any other major U.S. city.
Electric bills are up 18% percent and natural gas prices have spiked 46% since Trump took office. His Big, Ugly Bill has already pushed nearly 155,000 Michiganders off their ACA coverage, and premiums for those who remain have jumped more than 20 percent.
The group said, in a news release:
"The auto industry Trump wants credit for 'reviving' is instead reeling from his agenda. GM has slashed 1,200 jobs and abandoned a $55 million Detroit plant. Fortescue walked away from a $210 million EV battery factory. XALT Energy gutted more than 300 jobs and shut down two Michigan plants. Trump’s tariffs and his attacks on clean energy investment have cost or endangered nearly 8,000 clean energy jobs in Michigan alone.
"Trump can tour every factory floor he wants. He can’t tour his way out of the crisis he created."
Listen to the president's full remarks HERE.
