Donald Trump’s recent remarks at the Economic Club of Chicago have drawn sharp criticism, especially from Kamala Harris’ campaign. The former president, while discussing auto manufacturing, suggested that assembling car parts was so simple that “we could have our child doing it.” This offhand comment has sparked outrage, especially among auto workers and their advocates.
Trump’s Controversial Remarks
During his speech, Trump, 78, oversimplified the assembly process for international car companies, claiming that many American auto plant workers were simply taking parts “out of a box” and putting them together. He singled out Mercedes Benz, implying that U.S. workers perform a task so basic that children could handle it.
Before he could delve further into the subject, Trump was interrupted by a moderator, but the damage was already done. His remarks were quickly seized upon by Kamala Harris’ campaign, which posted a clip on social media to highlight the dismissive tone toward American labor.
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Tariffs and Auto Manufacturing
Trump also reiterated his stance on tariffs, proposing to increase taxes on automakers who import parts rather than building vehicles entirely within the U.S. His reasoning was that such a move would encourage companies to open more plants in the U.S., creating jobs and boosting domestic production. However, economists have raised concerns, suggesting that higher tariffs could lead to increased prices for American consumers.
“We have deficits that are crazy,” Trump said during the speech. “We’re not going to have many more. We’re going to put tariffs on them… and Mercedes Benz will start building in the United States.”
While Trump’s push for tariffs might resonate with some, many industry experts caution that it could harm both manufacturers and consumers, as production costs would rise, leading to higher prices for vehicles.
Kamala Harris Campaign Responds
Kamala Harris’ campaign wasted no time in using Trump’s comments as a political weapon, calling him out for belittling the auto manufacturing workforce. With Michigan being a crucial swing state, and the home to thousands of auto industry workers, Trump’s words could prove costly in his efforts to win over voters there.
The United Auto Workers’ union has already been at odds with Trump, with union President Shawn Fain labeling him a “scab.” The union filed federal labor charges against Trump and Elon Musk earlier this year over allegations that they attempted to intimidate striking or organizing workers. Fain said in a statement, “When we say Donald Trump is a scab, this is what we mean. When we say Trump stands against everything our union stands for, this is what we mean.”
Fallout in Key States
Trump’s comments are likely to further alienate voters in Michigan, a key battleground state where the auto industry plays a pivotal role. According to reports, the state was home to over 41,000 auto manufacturing jobs in 2001. With the ongoing tensions between Trump and auto workers, these latest remarks could further erode his support among working-class voters in the region.
Just last week, Trump attacked the city of Detroit during a campaign rally, warning that the entire country could “end up being like Detroit” if Kamala Harris were to win the presidency. He told the crowd, “You’re going to have a mess on your hands.”
With both comments still fresh in voters’ minds, Trump’s standing in the Motor City seems shakier than ever.
