Overview
- President Trump spoke at General Motors’ Milford Proving Ground on Monday, defending 25% tariffs on foreign vehicles and saying his tax and regulatory changes have driven new U.S. auto investment.
- The White House credited the ‘America First’ agenda with reshoring factories and jobs while Trump publicly backed Republican candidates including Mike Rogers and John James at the event.
- The administration’s tariffs targeted Canada with duties of up to 50% on some goods, and Ottawa scaled back joint celebrations for the new Gordie Howe bridge in response to the trade moves.
- Industry signals are mixed: automakers have announced U.S. investments and GM raised profit guidance, but EV sales have weakened since the fall 2025 tax-credit expiry and GM has taken large EV restructuring charges.
- Michigan voters show growing economic skepticism of the president, with polling putting his state approval in the low 30s, and rising gas and inflation worries pose political risk for Republicans before the Aug. 4 primary and November midterms.