Key Takeaways:
– Trump’s promises of restoring Michigan’s auto industry lacked fulfillment
– Jobs in this sector declined during Trump’s tenure, even before the pandemic
– Trump’s tariffs could raise prices of already expensive vehicles
– Biden’s administration has added over 423,000 manufacturing jobs in the first 37 months
– Biden-Harris Inflation Reduction Act could create 336,000 manufacturing jobs annually until 2035
Understanding Trump’s Unfulfilled Promises
Donald Trump, the former president, made repeated promises. He vowed to regenerate the Michigan auto industry. He painted picturesque scenes of car factories returning and jobs flourishing. These promises bring back memories of his 2016 guarantees. However, these vows have, once again, remained just that – words. As records indicate, the number of jobs in vehicle and parts manufacturing in Michigan declined during Trump’s tenure. In fact, even before COVID-19 wreaked havoc, jobs were on the decline. Just four years during Trump’s run, there were numerous factory closures. An example of this is the 2019 closure of the General Motors Co. Warren Transmission plant.
Digging Deeper into the Job Statistics
When Trump took office in 2017, jobs in vehicle and parts manufacturing in Michigan stood at approximately 175,000. Fast forward to early 2020, before the state reported its first COVID-19 cases, these figures had dipped to 171,300, marking a 2.2% decline. By the conclusion of his term, there was a 5% drop in jobs compared to the beginning of his tenure. As per experts, any substantial increase of auto industry workers in Michigan seems unlikely. It would require an influx from other U.S. regions.
Understanding the Impact of Trump’s Tariffs
There’s more to the story. Trump’s proposed tariff plans could compound the situation. These tariffs could lead to inflating the prices of vehicles, which are already considered costly. The idea of reverting the auto job levels to the era of the 1970s was met with incredulity, often garnering chuckles from experts. Even amongst his supporters, there was skepticism regarding his promises.
Comparing with Biden’s Administration
On the contrary, President Biden’s administration has produced more engaging numbers. Within just 37 months of his taking office, the U.S. has added 423,000 manufacturing jobs. Furthermore, projections for Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s tenure appear promising. Since taking office, more than 775,000 manufacturing jobs have been added to the economy. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Inflation Reduction Act, this growth is likely to persist. The Act is expected to provide 336,000 new roles each year until 2035. All these come in stark contrast to the 200,000 manufacturing jobs loss during Trump’s term.
Biden’s Reality-Based Approach
Unlike Trump, President Biden has taken a reality-based approach. He has made it his mission to rejuvenate America, promoting manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, and creating decent-paying jobs. The Infrastructure law and Biden’s Investing in America agenda have buoyed over 700,000 new jobs annually. These are not merely empty promises; these are tangible steps towards transforming America. While the contrast could not be starker, it is clear that Biden has put in the work to fulfill his promises, providing the working class with a semblance of hope. Hopefully, this proves as a wake-up call for voters about who truly works for their betterment.