Trump on Tariffs and American Manufacturing
Recently, President Trump remarked that losing the ability to impose tariffs on countries that treat the U.S. unfairly would be a significant setback. As the midterms draw near, his proposed $2,000 tariff stimulus checks aim to demonstrate that his plans are working for many American families. However, countries like China and Mexico seem to persist in gaming the system, risking the jobs of countless manufacturers in the U.S.
As Trump’s former chief of staff, I have seen firsthand the impact of foreign cheating on American communities. The U.S. trailer manufacturing sector faces similar threats from unfair imports, particularly from China and Mexico. Disturbingly, Chinese companies are also moving their trailer manufacturing operations to Canada to sidestep tariffs, leading to an influx of illegally traded products entering the U.S. from there.
During Trump’s historic re-election campaign, he introduced a robust America First trade agenda, focusing on anti-dumping and countervailing duty litigation. After working closely with him, I can say these commitments aren’t just rhetoric; they are essential steps toward protecting American manufacturing. The trailer industry is a crucial example of American workers needing protection from these deceptive practices.
Across the country, from Georgia to Wisconsin, the trailer manufacturing industry sustains over 50,000 jobs. Back in my home state of North Carolina, this vital industry supports numerous well-paying positions, many of which are in critical battleground states crucial for the midterm elections.
Currently, around 40% of the U.S. van trailer market is supplied by trailers from China, Mexico, and Canada. These imports are often sold below market value due to unfair trading practices, such as subsidies and dumping. Moreover, Chinese government-owned companies are producing parts in Canada and labeling them as “Made in Canada” to avoid tariffs.
This situation not only endangers the livelihoods of thousands of American workers but also cultivates a troubling reliance on foreign goods, which impacts our national security. In scenarios of international conflict, it’s vital to have a robust domestic manufacturing base ready to support military needs. Reflecting on World War II, when trailer manufacturers played a significant role in producing military equipment, one has to question what would happen today if our manufacturing sector were compromised.
Many U.S. trailer manufacturers are currently struggling and operating at less than half of their production capacity due to these unfair imports. The threat is so severe that the domestic trailer industry united to file a significant trade lawsuit in November 2025, aimed at combating this crisis. This move, however, has met pushback from foreign companies that exploit the system. Given the risks to jobs in key battleground states, it’s essential for the Department of Commerce to launch an investigation quickly. This lawsuit is critical for saving the domestic trailer industry and the jobs of thousands of Americans—it could potentially influence the midterm elections in states like Georgia, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.
In North Carolina and across America, the trailer manufacturing industry is still fighting back, unlike many other sectors that have been undermined by foreign fraud. As the Trump administration continues its second year, it’s crucial to advance this trade case, which has the potential to safeguard 50,000 jobs.
The dedicated American men and women who stood by Trump in 2024 are likely to continue their support in the 2026 midterms, provided the administration persistently pushes forward with trade actions that could save millions of jobs. While the extreme left may want to see Republicans lose ground in Congress, I believe that if we back the president’s trade policies and prioritize American workers, we can secure victory.
