Factory closures fuel Republican backlash over Trump's tariffs
Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 11 Oct, 13:19 · Archive
Trump's tariffs have prompted factory closures and job losses, turning workers against Republicans ahead of midterm elections.
President Trump's tariff policy is prompting factory closures and job losses, turning workers against Republicans ahead of midterm elections in November. Nelson Vandermeer, a 62-year-old product designer, lost his job when clockmaker Howard Miller closed its factory in Zeeland, Michigan, laying off nearly 200 workers. The century-old company, which relied on overseas parts, shut down and sold off its brand name. Vandermeer, who voted Republican for decades, now plans to vote straight Democrat.
Trump promised that tariffs would spur a manufacturing renaissance in the United States, but manufacturing employment has declined since he took office in January 2025, despite job additions this year. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers insisted a factory boom is underway, citing increased manufacturing output and construction work in nonresidential trades. She said factory construction jobs would lead to more manufacturing positions once facilities open.
Public support for Trump's trade policy has weakened significantly. A recent poll shows 64% of Americans disapprove of his tariffs, saying he has gone too far, compared with 58% in January. Trump continues to maintain tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies, including the European Union, Canada, Mexico, Japan and India. He is using Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to justify the duties, claiming unfair trade practices by these countries.
How it is being reported
- Trump sticks with tariffs even as US voters turn against them before the midtermsPresident Donald Trump shows no signs of budging from a trade policy that many Americans don't like as the midterm elections loom.News4Jax · 11 Oct, 12:56
- Trump sticks with tariffs even as US voters turn against them before the midtermsPresident Donald Trump shows no signs of budging from a trade policy that many Americans don't like as the midterm elections loom.Clickorlando · 11 Oct, 12:56
- Republicans face midterm backlash from factory workers squeezed out of jobs by Trump's tariffsPresident Donald Trump's tariffs are turning factory workers against his Republican Party over fears the import taxes could lead to fewer jobs instead of the manufacturing renaissance he promised.Clickorlando · 11 Oct, 12:50
- Republicans face midterm backlash from factory workers squeezed out of jobs by Trump's tariffsPresident Donald Trump's tariffs are turning factory workers against his Republican Party over fears the import taxes could lead to fewer jobs instead of the manufacturing renaissance he promised.News4Jax · 11 Oct, 12:50
In this story: Donald Trump · Nelson Vandermeer · Howard Miller · Taylor Rogers · Zeeland, Michigan · United States
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