Speaking to a captivated audience at the Detroit Economic Club, former President Donald Trump announced on Thursday his plan to revise the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), should he win re-election.

The former president outlined several strategies to bolster the U.S. auto industry while critiquing the current administration and foreign automakers, with a revised trade deal among his prospective priorities, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Trump Targets Automakers in Detroit Speech

Addressing business leaders at the MotorCity Casino in downtown Detroit, Trump articulated his vision to boost domestic manufacturing. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current trade framework, which he spearheaded in 2020. Highlighting a six-year provision within the USMCA, Trump pledged to initiate amendments to the agreement.

Specifically focusing his critique on foreign automotive companies, Trump stated his intent to impose tariffs potentially reaching 1,000% to curtail the sale of vehicles from Mexican plants into the United States.

This move, he argued, would protect American automotive jobs and the broader industry from foreign competition.

A central theme of Trump's address was the revitalization of American manufacturing. He proposed several policies, such as a corporate tax rate of 15%, alongside efforts to reduce energy expenses and expand research and development incentives.

Trump Proposes New Economic Policies

Michigan's struggling auto sector was a focal point of Trump's proposals, and he suggested a new tax deduction for car loans to stimulate vehicle purchases domestically.

Painting a dire picture, he warned that Vice President Kamala Harris's potential presidency could lead to economic decline similar to Detroit's past woes.

Trump further expressed concerns over Harris's economic policies, stating, "You want to know the truth? It’ll be like Detroit." His warning extended to the nation, promising to prevent such an outcome.

In response, Vice President Harris defended her record on trade, taking to social media platform X to highlight her opposition to the USMCA during her Senate tenure. She noted her previous votes against what she saw as insufficient worker protections within the agreement.

Contrasting Views on Auto Industry Outsourcing

The issue of outsourcing within the automotive industry remains contentious. Though the sector has seen job fluctuations due to various factors, significant offshoring historically occurred before either Trump or Harris held federal office. While U.S. manufacturing jobs increased under Trump pre-pandemic, data indicates they experienced more substantial growth under President Joe Biden.

Biden's administration's push for electric vehicle adoption has become a politically charged topic, particularly in Michigan, a key automotive manufacturing state. Trump's stance on EVs was evident as he vowed to dismantle Biden's guidelines should he regain the presidency.

Blaming free trade deals for manufacturing job losses, Trump used strong language in his address to criticize previous negotiators of these agreements.

Personal Anecdotes Highlight Trump's Address

Trump reminisced about his youth, sharing a personal story about a Pontiac GTO convertible he owned. Through such anecdotes, he sought to underline his connections to the American automotive culture.

The former president's speech did not shy away from controversial rhetoric, employing evocative language to express his grievances over past trade negotiations. "We allowed them to come in and raid and rape our country," he asserted, justifying his word choice as capturing the severity of past economic policies.

As the campaign continues to unfold, Trump's proposals and rhetorical style serve to solidify his stance on economic protectionism and domestic job preservation.

Trump's Proposals and Future Plans

In conclusion, Trump outlined his vision for renegotiating the USMCA to safeguard the U.S. auto industry, levying significant tariffs against foreign competitors, and implementing robust economic policies to invigorate manufacturing.

His criticisms spanned foreign companies, current political figures, and historical trade policy decisions, all aimed at promoting his agenda for a stronger national economy.