Former President Donald Trump made a bold statement on Saturday. He claimed that if he doesn’t win the 2024 election, it would spell disaster for the US auto industry and the nation as a whole.
Trump proposed imposing a “100% tariff” on cars manufactured outside the US. He believes this measure is crucial to safeguard domestic auto production, but only if he returns to office.
During a rally in Vandalia, Ohio, Trump expressed his strategy. “We’re going to put a 100% tariff on every single car that comes across the line. You won’t be able to sell those cars if I’m elected,” he declared. He warned that his loss would lead to severe consequences for the country, describing it as a “bloodbath.”
Trump’s comments were part of a broader discussion. He touched on the auto industry, unions, the shift towards electric vehicles, and car manufacturing in Mexico. He has been trying to gain the support of autoworkers and voters in Rust Belt states by focusing on trade, tariffs, and electric vehicle production. Earlier this month, Trump mentioned to CNBC his plan to impose a 50% tariff on cars made in Chinese factories located in Mexico.
The former president also emphasized the critical nature of the upcoming November election. He suggested that if the election is lost, the future of elections in the country could be in jeopardy.
The rally, held on Saturday, was in support of Bernie Moreno, Trump’s preferred candidate in the upcoming Republican Senate primary in Ohio. Trump’s speech was candid, attributed to the inability to use the teleprompter due to strong winds.
“I can’t read this damn teleprompter,” Trump complained. “It’s like trying to read a moving flag in a 35-mph wind.”
The Biden campaign responded to Trump’s use of the term “bloodbath,” interpreting it as a desire for another event like January 6. “This is who Donald Trump is: a loser who was defeated by over 7 million votes and then, instead of trying to appeal to a broader audience, he doubles down on his threats of political violence,” said James Singer, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign.
The Trump campaign countered these claims on Saturday night. They argued that Trump was referring to the potential economic impact on autoworkers and the auto industry under Biden’s policies.
“Joe Biden and his campaign are misleadingly editing comments, a tactic that is shameful,” stated Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign.
In his speech, Trump also criticized Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, attacked Biden’s immigration and economic policies, and reiterated unfounded claims about the 2020 election being stolen. He promised to pardon individuals charged with crimes related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, whom he refers to as “hostages,” on his first day back in office.
Trump made controversial remarks about prisoners involved in gang violence and other violent crimes, questioning their humanity. He further described undocumented immigrants who commit crimes as “animals,” continuing his pattern of using dehumanizing language.
Trump has made it clear that he intends to focus on immigration and border security as key issues in his campaign. He has proposed significantly expanding his administration’s strict immigration policies, including widespread detentions and deportations.
He has also repeatedly used dehumanizing language to describe migrants. Last year, he claimed they were “poisoning the blood of our country,” a statement reminiscent of language used by Adolf Hitler.