Trump touts tariffs in Michigan rally as voters’ economic concerns mount

Donald Trump swept into a sports complex in Michigan, declaring the first 100 days of his administration a success; but down the road at a shopping complex, economic concerns were top of mind.

President Trump swept into a sports complex here and declared the first 100 days of his administration a success. “You haven’t even seen anything yet,” said Trump, who stood in front of jumbo screens that read “100 Days of Greatness.” At a shopping complex down the road from the rally, a more mixed picture came through. Concerns about the economy and the president’s tariffs were on the mind of some Trump supporters and converts such as Valerie Walker.

“Everything still costs a lot – groceries, bills, housing,” said Walker, 64, a Ford assembly worker who voted for Joe Biden in 2020 but switched to Trump in November, helping the Republican narrowly win this swing state. She likes Trump’s immigration policies but is concerned about tariffs, even though Trump says they are designed to grow American manufacturing jobs such as hers.

“Like he says, it’s going to take time,” Walker said of Trump’s economic plans. The 89-minute rally Tuesday marked a return to the campaign-style events that have helped turn Trump into a political force. He has done little domestic travel, save for weekend jaunts to his private club in Florida. He revelled in the moment, thanking auto workers for their support, heralding the tariffs and touting efforts to slash the size of government and end “transgender insanity.”

“We’re taking back our country from a sick political class,” Trump said during his speech. “Instead of putting China first, I’m putting Michigan first and I’m putting America first,” he said to roars, which grew louder when he said he was rooting out “deep-state bureaucrats.”

Supporters cheer as Donald Trump delivers his 100th Day in office achievement speech in Warren, Michigan. Picture; AFP.

Outside Macomb Community College, vendors sold T-shirts bearing a photo of Trump after a bullet grazed his ear during a rally last summer in Butler, Pa. Others depicted Trump’s mug shot, a reminder of the legal travails he has overcome since he was last in office. Dozens of protesters showed up as well. “No kings,” read the back of one man’s shirt.

Despite Trump’s bullish message, a raft of public opinion polls shows voters losing confidence in his handling of the economy, inflation, tariffs and other issues. The president’s overall job approval is underwater by 7 percentage points – 45 per cent approving and 52 per cent disapproving – according to a Real Clear Politics average of polling results.

Those are worrisome, if early, signs for Trump and the GOP as the midterm elections approach. Republicans have bare majorities in the House and Senate, and losing one or both chambers would stunt Trump’s legislative agenda and likely trigger congressional probes. Some Democrats have begun talking about impeachment. “What the hell did I do?” Trump said at the rally.

Trump and GOP allies are counting on Democrats alienating voters by overreaching. The president remains steadfast that his economic agenda will produce results, even as he softens some of his trade policies. Meantime, he has gone back to a familiar playbook, attacking polls as fake and calling pollsters corrupt, as he did during his Michigan rally.

Immigration, which Trump called the No. 1 issue in the recent election, played heavily into the president’s rally. He said migrants with violent criminal backgrounds were being sent to a “no-nonsense” prison in El Salvador. Trump then paused as a video was shown of migrants being led away in shackles. “USA, USA, USA,” the crowd chanted.

Trump touted his efforts to cut regulations and criticised Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates. “I know much more than he does about interest rates,” Trump said. “Believe me.” Trump has said Powell’s termination can’t come quick enough but has ruled out – for now – trying to fire him.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth attends the Michigan rally. Picture: AFP.

Trump said his 25 per cent tariffs on auto imports would create jobs, but acknowledged the pressure the duties have created, and referenced steps this week to soften the blow. He has said the tariffs are aimed at compelling automakers to move production to the US: “We give them a little time before we slaughter them if they don’t do this.” Joe Palazzolo, 45, drove about an hour to attend the rally, wearing a red Make America Great Again hat. Trump, he said, is “a lot more fearless this term” and he wants him to continue to make bold changes.

“If you’re going to turn around a big ship,” Palazzolo said, “It’s not easy and takes time.” At the shopping complex a few miles from the rally, Katherine Brakeman, 38, said she is horrified by Trump’s agenda and fears additional government services will be cut. She is permanently disabled and relies on a food bank to help support her 21-month-old daughter.

During an Easter gathering with her father, she said they avoided politics. Trump won Michigan, she said, “Because of people like my father who had the wool pulled over their eyes and don’t understand that things are different than they were 20 years ago.” “I can see how all the change is scary for people, but I think it’s headed in the right direction,” said Stephanie Salatrik, a hairdresser in her 40s who was loading her car after shopping at Walmart. She voted for Kamala Harris in 2024, but now supports Trump, particularly on immigration.

That issue also resonates with John Wilson, 35, who said an influx of migrants under President Joe Biden cost him jobs, such as a position delivering packages for Amazon. “It’s almost like another country around here,” he said.

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