President Donald Trump has proposed assistance for Detroit’s automakers amid a fierce electoral battle for the Midwest. Trump, who won Michigan by a narrow margin in 2016, appears to be making an effort to secure support in the state where the auto industry is a significant part of the economy.
The specifics of the proposed aid have not been fully detailed, but it is expected to be a part of a broader package of measures aimed at stimulating the U.S. economy in light of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The move is seen as an attempt to bolster Trump’s standing in the Midwest, a region which was key to his victory in 2016, but where his approval ratings have been slipping according to recent polls. The president’s pitch also comes at a time when the U.S. auto industry, like many other sectors, has been hit hard by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Detroit is home to the ‘Big Three’ U.S. automakers – General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler – and many businesses in the region are connected to the auto industry. Thus, any aid to this sector could potentially have a significant impact on the local economy, which in turn could influence the electoral scenario in Michigan and the broader Midwest.