Trump Celebrates 100 Days in Office With Michigan Auto Workers

Trump is delivering on his promise to address longstanding issues in the auto industry with his tariff strategy, a United Auto Workers member said.

President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Macomb Community College at Warren, Mich., on April 29, 2025. Scott Olson/Getty Images

WARREN, Mich.—In a political rally commemorating his first 100 days in office since reclaiming the White House, President Donald Trump touted his achievements in office so far.

Many attendees of the rally, held at Macomb Community College in Warren, were automotive workers, among the most likely to benefit from the tariff relief Trump announced earlier the same day. While tariffs on imported automobiles will remain in effect—intended to boost U.S. manufacturers—Trump is pulling back tariffs on raw materials like steel and aluminum.

“We’re here tonight in the heartland of our nation to celebrate the most successful first 100 days of any administration in the history of our country,” Trump said.

In a symbolic move, Trump chose to celebrate the crucial day in the Great Lakes State, the heart of the U.S. automotive industry, which his recent tariff policy has heavily impacted. Earlier this month, Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on imported vehicles to bolster domestic car manufacturing.

Macomb County, Michigan’s third largest county, was a major contributor to Trump’s victory in Michigan. Trump won Michigan by 1.4 percent, flipping a key swing state that President Joe Biden had carried by 2.8 percent in 2020.

In his speech, Trump is expected to spotlight two key campaign promises: strengthening border security and reducing gas prices. He’s also likely to defend his tariff policy as central to his economic agenda.

Since returning to the White House as the 47th president, Trump rolled out a raft of executive actions and sweeping policy changes, making his first 100 days among the most consequential starts to a presidential term in modern U.S. history. He signed more than 135 executive orders, surpassing President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s record of 99 executive orders in his first 100 days.

For his supporters, these first 100 days mark a bold return to American strength and values. His critics, however, argue the administration’s rapid changes have brought chaos and constitute executive overreach.

Public support for Trump’s economic agenda has declined in recent weeks, according to opinion polls. Meanwhile, many of his policies have faced resistance in the courts.

However, autoworkers are enthusiastic about Trump marking his 100th day in office in their state. Among them is Douglas King, a nearly 30-year veteran at the Stellantis factory in Michigan.

King was one of the 20 United Auto Workers members invited to the White House on April 2, when Trump announced broad tariffs on nearly every trade partner of the United States.

According to King, Trump is following through on his promise to address longstanding issues in the auto industry through his tariff strategy.

He pointed to reports that Stellantis had been moving some production overseas to lower labor costs over the past few years.

“They were on record saying that they wanted to do 80 percent of their manufacturing at low-cost countries that would have just eliminated the jobs here,” King told The Epoch Times. “These tariffs will put an absolute stop to that. And I think pretty soon, you’re going to hear that minivan that’s made in Canada is going to be coming here. There’s a lot of rumors about that happening.”

His colleague Kim Fenner, who plans to retire by the end of May after three decades at Stellantis, shared a similar view.

“I think that the tariffs are going to bring more jobs,” she said, noting that many of the plants in Michigan that were downsized or shut down could soon be ramping up again.

Isaiah Goddard, a United Auto Workers member at Ford Motor Company, said the strong support from Michigan’s auto workers played a key role in helping Trump win the state.

“We had his back, and he won Michigan,” Goddard told The Epoch Times. “Trump is excited to be here. He really loves it here.”

Michigan also serves as a strategic location for Trump to highlight his border security policies, according to King.

“When you think about Michigan, we border Canada,” he said. “Not everybody’s coming across the Mexican border. They’re coming from Canada, too. I’m sure ICE is busy here.”

Ahead of Trump’s speech, the White House announced that the president will sign an executive order later today to cushion the impact of his automobile tariffs.

A senior Commerce Department official said that car companies will continue to pay a 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles, but they will not be subjected to other tariffs, such as the 25 percent levy on steel and aluminum or 10 percent universal baseline duties.

‘A Microcosm of America’

During his visit, the president will first deliver remarks to the Michigan National Guard at Selfridge Air National Guard Base before heading to the Macomb County Community College.

“Macomb County is a microcosm of America, and it’s always been a place where people are willing to give leaders of both parties a chance, and I think that’s important,” Curtis Hertel, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, told The Epoch Times.

Hertel criticized Trump for what he said was the president’s failure to keep his promises to the American people.

“The problem Trump has is that he broke a bunch of promises to the people here,” Hertel said. “He promised them lower prices. He promised them that their retirement accounts would be flush. He promised them a better economy for America. That’s not actually happening right now.”

Although inflation softened in March due to declining gas prices, rising concerns about the economy, especially tariffs, are fueling anxiety and undermining consumer confidence, according to some analysts. Trump’s tariffs have sparked stock market volatility, erasing trillions of dollars in market value and alarming millions who saw their retirement savings shrink.

“He’s got a lot of explaining [to do] to the people of this county,” Hetel said. “I hope he'll see that pain while he’s here.”

Hertel on April 29 held a roundtable with local residents and small business owners, who voiced concerns about Trump’s policies on immigration, tariffs, and tax cuts.

Among the participants was Diane Young, a financial planner who works closely with families and small businesses. While she acknowledged that tariffs can be a valuable negotiating tool, especially with U.S. rivals such as China, she criticized the current approach.

“Tariffs could be useful if done right surgically—not like a machine gun,” she told The Epoch Times.

Young said that the Trump administration’s current approach is sowing uncertainty among business leaders.

“They’re just plowing through this and not giving a lot of confidence to business leaders,” she said, noting that even some longtime Republicans are growing uneasy. “They’re very worried, too.”