Donald Trump vowed that the US would “take jobs from other countries” if he returned to the White House, as he laid out his plans to cut taxes, reduce energy costs and regulate manufacturers making goods on American soil.
At a campaign rally in Savannah, Georgia, Trump promised a “manufacturing renaissance”, repeating his pledge to impose heavy tariffs on foreign-made goods to punish American companies that manufacture outside the United States and protect American industries.
Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have stepped up efforts to outline their competing visions for the economy in the final stretch of the campaign, highlighting what voters consider a top concern heading into the 2024 election.
Harris is expected to introduce a new set of economic proposals in a major speech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday.
Addressing a crowd in Savannah, Trump went beyond his usual protectionist policies and raised the prospect of a further trade war.
Trump said he would provide special federal zones with “very low taxes and regulations” to companies relocating to the United States, cut regulations, and appoint a “manufacturing ambassador” to persuade international companies to relocate to the United States.
He said, “Under my plan, American workers will no longer have to worry about losing their jobs in foreign countries. Instead, foreign countries will have to worry about losing their jobs in America.”
Trump has previously proposed tariffs of 60% or more on Chinese goods and a 20% tariff on imports from other countries, an aggressive policy that some economists say could raise prices for Americans.
During his presidency, Trump imposed tariffs on some goods imported from China. The Biden administration has kept some of these policies in place and announced new restrictions in some sectors, such as electric vehicles.
The former president has blamed Democrats for a surge in inflation following the Covid pandemic, which has now subsided, with the high cost of groceries also remaining a top concern for voters.
The Food Consumer Price Index is projected to increase by 25% from 2019 to 2023. US Department of Agriculture,
Polls have shown that American voters are most concerned about the economy, and most voters see Trump as capable of handling it. However, Harris has gained some edge.
Voters for whom the economy was a major factor preferred Trump over Harris by 53–47%. CBS News/YouGov Poll The list of likely voters was published this week. But Harris has improved her position since August, when only 43% of voters who prioritized the economy supported her.
Trump's visit to Georgia comes on the heels of a New York Times/Siena College poll that showed him slightly ahead in the state as well as in battleground states Arizona and North Carolina.
Both candidates have devoted considerable time and resources to campaigning in Georgia, as it could prove crucial to their path to the White House.
Although the speech in Georgia was billed as an economic event, Trump devoted a significant portion of his speech to other topics. He referred to his failed assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally in July and a second suspected attempt in Florida this month. He praised the US Secret Service, which has faced scrutiny over its ability to protect Trump.
He also attacked Harris, calling her “grossly incompetent” and saying she would “deindustrialize America and destroy our country.”
An hour before Trump's speech in Georgia, the Harris campaign held a press conference with American investor Mark Cuban, who has long backed Democratic candidates.
Mr Cuban has criticised Mr Trump's proposal to impose tariffs on US companies manufacturing in countries such as Mexico, saying it would hurt American businesses.
“It shows he doesn’t think deeply about these things,” Mr. Cuban said.
Harris will return to another key state — Pennsylvania — on Wednesday to lay out her economic agenda.
The Vice President has already issued a release. set of economic proposals He has also called for a “first-time” tax credit for builders of homes sold to first-time homebuyers, tax breaks for families, and a ban on “price gouging” on groceries, as well as down-payment assistance of up to $25,000 for “eligible” first-time homebuyers.
He told reporters on Sunday that the plan would focus on “investing in the aspirations and ambitions of the American people and addressing the challenges they face.”