Trump praises GM and defends tariffs during Michigan visit

President Donald Trump visited General Motors’ Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan, on July 27, 2026, where he defended his tariff policies and praised the automaker’s revival under his administration. Trump toured the facility, which serves as GM’s oldest dedicated vehicle testing operation in the U.S., employing 4,200 workers who refine nearly every vehicle the company produces before they reach consumers. During the visit, he watched Corvette, Cadillac, and Hummer vehicles compete in drag races and later delivered a speech touting GM’s plans to expand domestic production. “I’ve done more for you than your parents, OK?” Trump joked to the crowd, while also declaring, “It’s amazing what tariffs are doing for GM.” He reiterated his stance on tariffs, framing them as a cornerstone of his “America first” economic strategy, despite criticism that the levies—particularly steep tariffs on Canadian imports, including cars—have strained Michigan’s economy. The state, a key battleground in the 2024 election, has seen economic strain from the new tariffs, which have disrupted trade with Canada, a critical partner for Michigan’s auto industry. Tensions with Canada have escalated, even affecting plans for the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Trump’s visit comes amid broader economic concerns in Michigan, including rising gas prices linked to the escalating conflict in Iran and persistent inflation. His approval ratings have sagged, with voters increasingly dissatisfied with his handling of the economy ahead of the November 3 elections. The president’s third trip to Michigan in his second term follows a January visit to a Ford plant in Dearborn, where he again defended tariffs despite industry leaders blaming them for higher business costs. Trump’s administration has faced legal challenges to its tariff policies, including a Supreme Court ruling that struck down many of his sweeping tariffs. However, officials have sought alternative legal avenues to impose levies, including justifying them on grounds that Canada discriminates against U.S. automotive exports. The latest round of tariffs was introduced after Canada retaliated against earlier U.S. tariffs, which Trump initially imposed under claims that Canada was not doing enough to curb fentanyl smuggling. The visit underscored the political stakes in Michigan, a state that flipped from backing Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 to supporting Trump in 2024. Oakland County, where the GM facility is located, has trended Democratic in recent years, backing Biden in 2020 and Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. Local Republicans, including former Michigan GOP executive director Jason Roe, have distanced themselves from Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, calling the visit a strategic move tied to Michigan’s late primary and a bid to secure the Republican nomination for his preferred candidate. Democrats, however, framed Trump’s presence as a campaign tactic that highlights his unpopularity in the state. Curtis Hertel, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, criticized the visit, stating, “It’s good for us every time the president is here because he’s incredibly unpopular.” The event drew attendees holding signs supporting “American Jobs” and “American Cars,” reflecting the broader debate over Trump’s economic policies and their impact on the auto industry.