In his speech at the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump delivered a strong critique of the United Auto Workers (UAW), accusing them of allowing China to orchestrate a deal that shifts the automobile industry to Mexico. Trump expressed his displeasure, stating, "They're building some of the largest auto plants anywhere in the world. We don't mind that happening, but those plants need to be built in the United States, and our people are going to man those plants."
In a September 2023 interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker, Donald Trump warned, "Auto workers will lose their jobs because electric cars will be made in China."
In 2023, around 13,000 U.S. auto workers went on strike after failed negotiations over issues like higher pay. This was the first time the United Auto Workers (UAW) union simultaneously targeted the three major automakers. Workers walked out at GM's plant in Wentzville, Missouri; Ford's plant in Wayne, Michigan; and Stellantis' plant in Toledo, Ohio.
On June 11, 2024, CNN reported that Shawn Fain, who led the UAW strike, is under investigation by a federal monitor for alleged misconduct. Two other top union officials, whom Fain had previously accused of misconduct, have made these allegations.
Trump warned of imposing tariffs ranging from 100% to 200% on cars not manufactured in the U.S., making them unsellable domestically. He emphasized the need to protect American jobs and industries from foreign exploitation. "We have long been taken advantage of by other countries, often so-called allies. We've lost jobs and revenue, and our businesses have been wiped out," Trump said. "I stopped it for four years, and we’re ready to make changes like nobody has seen before."
He highlighted his achievements, such as replacing NAFTA with the USMCA, which he called the best trade deal ever made. Despite the impact of COVID-19, Trump pledged not to let countries take American jobs and resources, advocating for products to be built in America to create massive job opportunities.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was an international agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States that created a free-trade zone in North America. The agreement was signed in 1992 and went into effect on January 1, 1994, with the goal of eliminating trade and investment barriers between the three countries. NAFTA immediately lifted tariffs on the majority of goods produced by the signatory nations.
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) entered into force on July 1, 2020. The USMCA, which substituted the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a mutually beneficial win for North American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses. The Agreement creates more balanced, reciprocal trade supporting high-paying jobs for Americans and grow the North American economy. According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
At the core of Trump's economic relief plan are significant tax cuts for workers, including a no-tax policy on tips. Sharing a recent conversation with a waitress in Nevada, Trump explained how the burden of taxes on tips affects service industry workers. "Waitresses, caddies, and drivers are being hurt badly. They make money, let them keep their money," he argued.
The 2017 Trump Tax Law disproportionately benefits the wealthy. According to the Tax Policy Center (TPC), households in the top 1 percent will see an average tax cut exceeding $60,000 by 2025, while those in the bottom 60 percent will receive an average tax cut of less than $500. In terms of after-tax income, the tax cuts for the top 1 percent and the top 5 percent are more than three times greater than those for the bottom 60 percent.
Trump also promised to protect Social Security and Medicare, accusing Democrats of plans that would destroy these programs due to the influx of millions of immigrants.
Rep. John B. Larson criticized Republicans for their proposed $1.5 trillion cuts to Social Security, including raising the retirement age, following Donald Trump's call for such cuts. Larson noted the plan's lack of transparency regarding the specifics of these changes. He emphasized President Biden's stance on strengthening Social Security by ensuring fair contributions from all income levels and vowed that Democrats would protect and enhance Social Security benefits, opposing any Republican efforts to reduce them.
Trump emphasized his dedication to halting illegal immigration, describing it as the worst invasion ever. He praised Border Patrol and ICE for their efforts against gangs like MS-13, highlighting his success in deporting thousands of criminals and pressuring other countries to accept their citizens back.
Trump intends to expand his previous policies, advocating for the "largest domestic deportation operation in American history." He plans to reintroduce wide-ranging raids to apprehend undocumented immigrants and establish new detention camps. Additionally, he wants to explore proposals he couldn't implement during his previous term, such as severely limiting birthright citizenship.
“Trump will unleash the vast arsenal of federal powers to implement the most spectacular migration crackdown,” said Stephen Miller, Mr. Trump’s former White House aide who was the chief architect of his border control efforts.
During his presidency, Trump aimed to reduce legal immigration by 63 percent, successfully decreasing the number of green cards and non-immigrant visas issued. However, he did not achieve his goal of eliminating illegal immigration, as interior enforcement weakened and the illegal immigrant population remained steady.
Trump criticized the current administration for reversing his policies, which he claims led to a surge in illegal immigration. "We ended all catch and release, shut down asylum fraud, and stopped human trafficking. Now, these policies have been terminated, leading to an unprecedented invasion," Trump stated.
In a public reference to his plans, Mr. Trump told a crowd in Iowa in “Following the Eisenhower model, we will carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.” The reference was to a 1954 campaign to round up and expel Mexican immigrants that was named for an ethnic slur — “Operation Wetback.”
Trump asserted that his administration brought peace and stability, contrasting it with the current state of global affairs. He highlighted endorsements from leaders like Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who credited him with maintaining global peace. Trump criticized the withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it the worst humiliation in American history. However, many would argue that the attacks on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021, represent a more significant humiliation.
He called for unity, urging the Democratic Party to stop weaponizing the justice system and demonizing political opponents. Trump referenced a major ruling from a federal judge in Florida, who found the prosecutor in the fake documents case against him acted unconstitutionally, leading to the case being dismissed. However, this decision was widely criticized by legal scholars.
Trump expressed gratitude to his wife, Melania, for her call for national unity, which resonated strongly within the Republican Party. He ended with a pledge to turn the nation around swiftly, emphasizing the importance of remembering that "we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
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