President Donald Trump pledged to promote an American auto boom Wednesday, announcing a regulatory measure that auto companies have backed while saying he would protect their workers.
Speaking at a testing center for self-driving vehicles in Michigan, Trump again promised to boost manufacturing by encouraging companies to hire and produce in the United States while punishing those who do not. He highlighted pledges to roll back regulations and tweak trade deals that he deems bad for the U.S., like the North American Free Trade Agreement.
"We're going to use the full economic powers of our country to protect our workers and to protect our jobs," Trump said following a meeting with members of his Cabinet; executives of General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler; and union leaders.
"The assault on the American auto industry, believe me, is over," Trump said. That industry was, of course, the recipient of a roughly $80 billion government rescue package after the financial crisis.