Trump Defends Tariffs at GM Plant and Watches “America First” Drag Races/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ President Donald Trump defended his tariff policies during a visit to a General Motors testing facility in Milford, Michigan. Trump watched “America First” drag races, toured GM vehicles and argued that import duties were increasing domestic automobile production.,Michigan businesses and auto industry leaders say tariffs on Canadian vehicles and parts have increased costs and could ultimately raise consumer prices.
Quick Look
- Trump visited GM’s testing grounds in Milford.
- He watched three drag races involving American-made vehicles.
- Featured models included a Corvette Z06, Cadillac Escalade V and electric Hummer.
- Trump signed the hood of a special white Corvette.
- He praised GM’s plans to expand US production.
- Canada faces tariffs as high as 50% on numerous products, including cars.
- Michigan’s economy depends heavily on cross-border trade.
- GM employs approximately 4,200 people at the Milford site.
- Michigan’s primary is scheduled for Aug. 4.
- Trump promoted gubernatorial candidate John James and Senate candidate Mike Rogers.
- Canada canceled a joint bridge celebration after the latest tariffs.
Deep Look
Trump Touts Tariffs at GM Facility
MILFORD, Mich. — President Donald Trump used a visit to a General Motors testing center Monday to argue that his economic policies have revitalized American manufacturing and the automobile industry.
The president toured GM’s extensive facility in suburban Detroit and praised the company’s plans to expand production in the United States.
Trump presented tariffs as a tool for encouraging automakers to build more vehicles domestically.
Some Michigan businesses and auto industry officials offer a different assessment, saying import duties have raised production expenses and ultimately increase prices for consumers.
“America First” Drag Races Welcome Trump
Trump began the visit by watching three drag races featuring American muscle cars, luxury vehicles and electric models.
The vehicles included the Corvette Z06, Cadillac Escalade V and electric Hummer.
An announcer described the demonstration as “all America First power.”
Trump pumped his fist while watching the races, which previewed the speed and spectacle expected at an IndyCar event planned for Washington in August.
The race is part of celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Trump Says He Stands With Auto Workers
Trump later addressed workers and supporters inside a GM design facility.
He praised the company’s plans to expand domestic manufacturing and described himself as a president who was finally defending automobile workers.
“I’ve done more for you than your parents, OK?” Trump joked.
The president argued that his administration’s trade policies were pressuring companies to relocate production to the United States.
President Tours GM Models
Company officials guided Trump through a display of GM vehicles, including newer versions of the Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado.
Trump claimed tariffs had helped increase production of those vehicles.
He also signed the hood of a white Corvette manufactured specifically to commemorate America’s 250th birthday.
“They’ve come a long way,” Trump said of GM.
“It’s amazing what tariffs are doing for GM,” he added.
Trump said he had treated the automaker favorably but declined to provide more details.
Trump Embraces “America First” Trade Policy
Trump acknowledged that his tariffs have generated opposition outside the United States.
“The rest of the world doesn’t love me, but that’s OK,” he said. “It’s called ‘America first.’”
His administration has imposed new duties on dozens of trading partners after the Supreme Court invalidated many of his earlier tariffs.
The White House has sought alternative legal mechanisms to maintain its broad trade agenda.
Speech Extends Beyond the Economy
Trump’s address lasted more than an hour and covered a wide variety of subjects.
Along with tariffs and manufacturing, he discussed the war in Iran and the US military operation that removed Venezuela’s leader.
He also spoke about communism, crime, efforts to transform Washington and the care he takes to avoid falling while walking on stages or leaving Air Force One.
The wide-ranging remarks resembled a campaign speech as much as an economic policy address.
Visit Highlights Michigan Primary
Early voting is underway for Michigan’s Aug. 4 primary.
Trump invited several Republican officeholders and candidates onto the stage, including Reps. Lisa McClain, Tom Barrett and Tim Walberg.
He also featured his endorsed gubernatorial candidate, Rep. John James, and Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers.
Rogers is unopposed in the GOP Senate primary.
James faces businessman Perry Johnson, who previously ran unsuccessfully for governor and sought the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
GM Site Has Century of Automotive History
GM describes the Milford location as the oldest dedicated vehicle-testing facility in the United States.
Approximately 4,200 people work there, refining nearly every type of vehicle the company produces before models are made available to consumers.
The facility contains more than 150 miles of testing roads.
Among the innovations perfected there was the Hydra-Matic, the first mass-produced automatic transmission.
Tariffs Could Carry Heavy Michigan Costs
Trump’s new tariffs affect dozens of US trading partners, but Canada faces some of the steepest levies.
Certain Canadian products, including automobiles, are subject to duties reaching 50%.
Michigan’s manufacturing economy is tightly integrated with Canada, particularly through the automobile supply chain. Parts and materials can cross the border multiple times before a vehicle is completed.
Automakers have warned that tariffs at each stage can increase costs, reduce competitiveness and result in higher prices.
Some advocacy organizations, citing trade and import figures, estimate that tariffs have cost Michigan companies billions of dollars since spring 2025.
Inflation and Iran War Add Pressure
The tariff dispute is unfolding while inflation remains elevated and gasoline prices rise during the war with Iran.
Those conditions have increased concern about household expenses and business costs across Michigan.
Trump returned to office after promising to lower the cost of living, but public satisfaction with his economic leadership has declined.
Kitchen-table issues could become a liability for Republicans attempting to retain control of Congress in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Oakland County Has Shifted Democratic
The Milford facility is in Oakland County, which includes many of Detroit’s northern suburbs.
Once considered a Republican stronghold, the county has increasingly supported Democratic candidates.
It backed Joe Biden over Trump in 2020 and Kamala Harris over Trump in 2024.
Trump nevertheless carried Michigan statewide in 2024, making it one of the battlegrounds he shifted from the Democratic column.
Strategist Calls Trump a General-Election Risk
Jason Roe, a former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, said the visit appeared designed partly to help James secure the gubernatorial nomination.
Roe previously attempted to distance the state party from Trump’s MAGA movement.
He warned that close association with the president could harm Republican candidates in the general election, describing Trump as “kryptonite to November voters.”
Democrats Welcome Trump’s Presence
Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Curtis Hertel argued that Trump’s visit would help Democrats connect Republican candidates to the president’s unpopular policies.
“We’re happy to have the president here, campaigning with Republicans. We think it highlights the fact that the only thing they care about is Donald Trump and refuse to stand up to him,” Hertel said.
“It’s good for us every time the president is here because he’s incredibly unpopular.”
Republicans counter that Trump remains a powerful motivator for their voters and that his policies protect American workers and industries.
Canada Dispute Disrupts Bridge Celebration
The $4.7 billion bridge was intended to receive a joint US-Canada celebration.
Canada canceled the bilateral event after Trump announced the latest tariffs and held a separate ceremony instead.
The dispute over the bridge illustrates how trade tensions have affected cooperation between two countries with deeply connected economies.
Trump initially imposed tariffs after arguing that Canada should do more to prevent fentanyl trafficking. He later criticized Canada for retaliating with duties on American exports.
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