Vice President JD Vance visited a plastics manufacturing facility in Michigan on Friday, advocating for the economic vision set forth by the Trump administration, which promises a nationwide industrial revival. Despite his optimism, concerns over rising tariffs, declining consumer confidence, and downturns in financial markets suggest a more challenging outlook.
Vance toured Vantage Plastics in Bay City, a region historically known for its sawmills and shipbuilding industries, which have long since shut down. During his speech, he declared, “We’ve started a great American comeback” and emphasized that the Trump administration aims to make manufacturing in the U.S. more affordable and accessible again. However, he cautioned that the economic effects of the administration’s policies would not be immediate, urging patience from the public.
Many businesses in Michigan, especially those in trade, are anxious about the ongoing trade conflict with Canada, sparked by the Trump administration’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports. This move has led to retaliatory actions from Canada and the European Union. Additionally, U.S. consumer sentiment has taken a sharp decline, marking the third consecutive month of falling confidence. A recent survey revealed a 22% drop in consumer sentiment from December 2024, with expectations for inflation rising to 3.9%, the largest monthly increase since 1993. Financial markets have also struggled, with the S&P 500 experiencing a 10% drop from its peak.
Trump has suggested that the economic turbulence may be inevitable as his administration embraces protectionist policies, such as tariffs, while his advisor Elon Musk pushes to reduce the federal workforce. Vance echoed this sentiment, stating, “The road ahead is long,” but emphasized that the early signs of the administration’s vision are starting to take shape.
At the event, nearly 100 attendees, including local worker Justin Crosby, expressed their hope for economic improvement. Crosby, a supporter of Trump, admitted that the first few months of the administration have been challenging but remains optimistic that it will help reduce costs over time. He noted that rising material prices in the construction industry have made things difficult.
Vance defended the higher tariffs, stating, “If you want to be rewarded, build in America. If you want to be penalized, build outside of America,” which led to chants of “USA! USA!” from the crowd. Frank Wyson, a worker at Vantage Plastics, echoed Vance’s sentiment, saying that the U.S. had given so much that it was time for other nations to give back.
Vantage Plastics CEO Paul Aultman clarified that the event was about promoting jobs, not politics. Despite this, around 50 protesters gathered outside the facility, holding signs criticizing Vance, Trump, and Musk’s proposed government cuts, while also expressing support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Vance acknowledged the protesters and jokingly remarked, “Don’t you all have jobs?”
During his trip, Vance was accompanied by Kelly Loeffler, the Small Business Administration administrator. His visit came a day after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, met with Trump in Washington to discuss job creation and tariffs, calling the meeting “productive.”
Vance, a former senator from Ohio, promised that this stop in Michigan would not be his last, and reiterated the importance of protecting the nation’s manufacturing industry. “When we lose the ability to make our own stuff, we abandon a way of life,” he said, emphasizing that manufacturing is integral to America’s identity.
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