On the 29th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump, marking 100 days in office, praised his achievements while lauding the administration's policies. Regarding the recent series of tariff negotiations with various countries, he noted that he is keeping several possibilities open, but said, 'If it takes too long, we'll just decide.'
On that day, President Trump delivered a campaign speech in Macomb County, Michigan, asserting that his activities since taking office for the second term have been 'the most successful first 100 days of any administration in U.S. history.'
In particular, President Trump claimed that the tariffs he imposed will bring manufacturing and jobs back to the U.S. He said, 'They are coming from all over the world because of our tax and tariff policies. They are coming here to open factories.' He continued, 'For a decade, politicians destroyed Detroit (the cradle of the American automobile industry) to empower China, but now you finally have a champion for workers in the White House. I will prioritize Michigan over China.'
Michigan is a representative region that relies on manufacturing, and Trump's remarks are seen as an attempt to dispel concerns about regional economic downturns due to tariff policies.
He added that countries around the world, including India, France, Spain, and China, are coming to negotiate trade agreements with the U.S., saying, 'We will negotiate, but we don't have to.' He went on to say, 'We have the goods they want, and we have them here in the U.S. They want some of our products. We can just set the price, but I want to be polite and nice. However, if the negotiations take too long, I'll just set the price.'
It is interpreted as meaning that he will negotiate with countries seeking to reduce the tariffs imposed by Trump, but if discussions do not go as hoped, he will unilaterally decide and implement the tariffs.
Regarding China, he stated that it has stolen more jobs than any other country, saying, 'But that doesn’t mean we won’t get along with China. We get along well with China.' He added, 'We will reach an agreement (with China), but it will be a fair agreement.'
Although South Korea was not explicitly mentioned, he revisited his decision during his first term to impose tariffs on imported washing machines for the American appliance manufacturer Whirlpool. This tariff targeted Samsung and LG.
Trump also criticized Jerome Powell, the chairperson of the Federal Reserve, for not responding to his requests for a rate cut and his resignation. He said, 'There are really bad Federal Reserve officials,' adding, 'They say we shouldn't criticize the Fed. They say he should be allowed to do his job. But I know much more about rates than he does.'
Regarding his low approval ratings, which recently reached the 40% range, Trump said, 'I think we're about 60% to 70%.' He also stated, 'Communist leftist judges are obstructing the enforcement of our laws, and we cannot let them do only what is assigned to the President of the United States. Judges are trying to take away the powers granted to the President.' This statement was made in reference to the judiciary repeatedly intervening in the administration's policies, and Trump called for the Supreme Court to intervene. The Supreme Court appointed three justices during Trump's first term.