Republican Donald Trump tried to shift gears after a tumultuous week by unveiling an economic plan Monday in Detroit that aims to cut taxes, renegotiate long-standing trade deals and pursue a nationalistic "America first" economic policy.
The New York businessman, who outlined his proposal in the long-struggling city of Detroit, would seek a 15 percent cap on corporate tax rates, end the estate tax, renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.
He also wants to impose a moratorium on new federal commerce regulations and declare China a “currency manipulator.” His doctrine, he said, would be to gear all policies “towards keeping jobs and wealth inside the United States.”
“I want to jump-start America. It can be done,” he said. “And it won’t even be that hard.”
The changes, he said during a speech repeatedly interrupted by protesters, would “offer the biggest tax revolution since the Reagan tax reform” and move away from foreign aid and refugee resettlement programs he’s long criticized.
“The skyscrapers went up in Beijing, and in many other cities around the world, while the factories and neighborhoods crumbled in Detroit,” he said. “Our roads and bridges fell into disrepair, yet we found the money to resettle millions of refugees at taxpayer expense.”
Trump’s campaign is hoping to highlight what’s long been a strength of the businessman’s campaign. Many local and national polls show voters give Trump the edge over Democrat Hillary Clinton on the handling of economic issues, including the recent AJC poll that gave him a 4-point edge on the issue.
“She’s the candidate of the past,” said Trump. “Ours is the campaign of the future.”
After the speech, the Trump campaign trumpeted a glowing endorsement of his plan from a certain Georgia supporter.
"Today, we heard a bold vision from Donald Trump - an outsider and businessman - who is listening to the American people," said Republican Sen. David Perdue. "He understands what it means to take risks and deliver results through lower taxes, less regulation, and solving our debt crisis."
Clinton will outline her own economic proposal on Thursday in Detroit.
About the Author
