'Much better': Trump invokes Ronald Reagan before making a claim about his trade record

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump used a campaign-style appearance in Michigan on Monday, July 27, to argue that even Ronald Reagan fell short on trade, declaring his own record was "much better."

The remarks widened his economic message beyond familiar attacks on Democrats. They also cast Trump as the first president to reverse what he described as decades of manufacturing decline.

Trump contrasts his trade record with Ronald Reagan

Addressing manufacturing and trade in Michigan on Monday, July 27, Trump praised Reagan before drawing a sharp distinction between their trade policies.

"And ever since the presidency of the late great Ronald Reagan, who, in all fairness, I liked, but he did allow our cars to disappear into Japan and other locations, we cannot do it," Trump said. "We love him, but on trade, Trump is much better, much better."

He then broadened the argument, saying Michigan's manufacturing base had been undermined long before he entered politics.

"But for decades, the auto workers and manufacturers of this great state were sold out and betrayed by globalist politicians and corrupt special interests who let other countries steal your jobs, pillage your factories, and loot the crown jewels of American industry from Detroit and all over our country," Trump said.

He added that previous administrations had failed to stop the trend.

"Every president before me promised to stop it, but none of them did anything. They did nothing," Trump said.

"But now, at long last, Michigan finally has a president who stands up for Michigan auto workers and puts America first," he added.

Trump blames Biden for trade deficit

Trump also turned his attention to former President Joe Biden, reviving campaign nicknames before criticizing the country's trade balance.

"What's better, sleepy Joe Biden or cr****d Joe Biden?" Trump asked the crowd. "They're both true. They're both very true."

He claimed the United States reached its highest trade deficit during Biden's presidency, saying the country was "losing more than $1 trillion a year on trade every single year" and arguing the figure would have approached "$2 trillion" had Democrats remained in office.

Trump also said the annual automobile trade deficit exceeded "$300 billion," describing it as a period when foreign countries and companies were "just robbing us blind" and hurting American workers.

To contrast that record with his own, Trump pointed to tariffs imposed during his presidency.

"But now all of that is changing because I placed historic tariffs on foreign producers and manufacturers, including a 25% tariff on foreign automobiles, something that no other president had the courage to ever do," he said.

White House touts Michigan manufacturing push

The White House said Trump's Michigan visit would highlight manufacturing job growth and foreign investment while making the case that his economic policies have strengthened the auto industry.

White House spokesperson Liz Huston said in a statement, "The president pledged to put Michigan workers back to work, and he's doing it."