Former President Donald Trump pledged to appoint a “manufacturing ambassador” to woo relocated companies back to American soil as part of his plan to revive U.S. industries, should he be reelected in November.
“For years, we watched other countries steal our jobs,” he told a capacity crowd during a campaign speech in the battleground state of Georgia on Sept. 24.
“Now we are going to be going after their jobs and bringing them back to America where they belong—and, frankly, where they want to be.”
The manufacturing ambassador would help maximize the results of his pro-business policies, Trump said, while contrasting his policies with those of his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
‘Special Zones’ on Federal Land
Trump also disclosed a related tax initiative during his 80-minute speech.“We will set up special zones of federal land with ultra-low taxes and regulations for American producers. These will be ideal spots for relocating entire industries that we’ve taken in from other countries,” he said.
In addition, he announced more help for Savannah, Georgia, an important seaside port city. Noting that his administration helped deepen Savannah’s port, Trump pledged a similar project if he were to win the presidency. He said he intends to enlist the Army Corps of Engineers to work with state transportation officials for this “major undertaking.”
Coupled with other policies, Savannah would see a big payoff, Trump pledged.
Cutting the Corporate Tax Rate
In his speech, Trump also pledged to cut the corporate tax rate to 15 percent for companies that make their products in the United States. He called that tax rate “the most competitive in the world.”According to Trump, however, such a tax hike would cause businesses to leave the United States in “droves.” Policies that hurt energy production would also cause companies to “flee,” he said.
Trump said he believes that current environmental regulations are choking U.S. businesses, preventing the nation from taking advantage of its natural resources and increasing U.S. reliance on foreign materials and products. Instead, Trump said he would push policies that would help the nation use its resources to its benefit, and “it will be clean and environmentally perfect.”
“We’re sitting on trillions and trillions of dollars under our feet,” Trump said, referring to natural resources such as gas, oil, and rare-earth minerals.
Trump repeated his past pledges to add tariffs to Mexican-manufactured vehicles, stop selling U.S. steel to Japan, and take steps that would cut energy costs in half, aiding businesses as well as families.
“To the auto workers in Michigan, Georgia, and all other parts of our country, I am pinpointing you for greatness. Your industry has been decimated,” he said, citing company decisions and government policies.
