100 days in office, Trump believes he is on the right path

WARREN, WEDNESDAY - United States President Donald Trump celebrated the first 100 days of his second term as if he were campaigning in Michigan, on Tuesday (29/4/2025) local time or Wednesday in Indonesia. He showcased his achievements, particularly in the field of immigration, in a state that has been significantly affected by high trade tariffs and an aggressive stance towards Canada.

Trump's "campaign" was conducted to reassure the American people about his policy direction and to demonstrate that he is a competent economic manager. Before leaving Washington, the White House announced plans to ease automotive tariffs. This is intended to "win over" the states that are home to several major automobile manufacturers.

Indeed, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted over three days ending Sunday (27/4/2024), 53 percent of respondents disapproved of Trump's performance. Only 42 percent expressed approval. Merely 4 out of 10 Americans agreed with Trump's approach to handling the presidency.

Only 46 percent approve of Trump's immigration policy, while around 50 percent of U.S. citizens believe he has gone too far in deporting illegal immigrants. Support for Trump has decreased from 47 percent in a poll conducted last January.

The percentage of respondents who approve of Trump's economic management is only 36 percent. This is the lowest level during his current term as well as during his first term from 2017 to 2021.

“I’m leading the United States and the world,” Trump told The Atlantic magazine in an interview. Trump also told Time magazine about his first 100 days in office, saying, “I think I’m doing exactly what I campaigned on.”

However, according to the President and CEO of the nonprofit organization Partnership for Public Service, Max Stier, during the first 100 days of Trump, there was significant damage to the foundations of governance.

Before the "100-day campaign" in Michigan, Trump praised his administration's investments in defense and lauded the foreign policy of his first administration at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

He praised Defense Minister Pete Hegseth for doing a great job. He did not mention the case involving Hegseth discussing military confidential information in the Signal messaging group. Trump even promised a $1 trillion investment for defense. Selfridge Base will receive 21 Boeing F-15X jets.

Michigan is becoming important for the Republican Party in 2026 as they attempt to secure a Senate seat in Michigan for the first time in several decades and regain control over the gubernatorial position.

The problem is that the unemployment rate in Michigan surged by 1.3 percent in March 2025, reaching 5.5 percent now. According to data, this is among the highest in Michigan, even surpassing the national average of 4.2 percent.

However, Trump continued to deliver speeches defending his high tariffs on cars and auto parts. Michigan is one of the battleground states that Trump flipped from the Democratic Party. However, Michigan is also the state most affected by Trump's tariffs, particularly on new imported cars and auto parts.

The car manufacturer Stellantis has halted production at its plants in Canada and Mexico following Trump's announcement of a 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles. This has resulted in the temporary layoff of 900 employees.

Industry groups separately urged the White House to cancel plans for tariffs on imported car parts, as this would raise car prices and trigger layoffs and bankruptcies.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the U.S. Government continues to allow car manufacturers to create more domestic manufacturing jobs. "Trump cares about future jobs, not the past," said Bessent.

Carolyn Martz, a resident of Royal Oak, Michigan, supports Trump's tariffs. She recounts that her husband works as an auto technician and has noticed that many parts come from China and other countries. "I want to see more goods made in America, by Americans, for Americans," she stated.

Trump signed an executive order to ease some of the 25 percent tariffs on cars and car parts. Automakers and independent analysts have indicated that the tariffs could raise prices, reduce sales, and make U.S. production less competitive globally.

However, Trump described the change as a bridge towards the manufacturing of cars that shifts more production to the US. "We just want to help them during this small, short-term transition. We do not want to punish them," said Trump.

Bessent explained that Trump has met with domestic and foreign car manufacturers and is committed to bringing car production back to the U.S. Trump's executive order altered the automotive tariffs, which were previously set at 25 percent, allowing vehicles assembled in the U.S. with foreign parts to avoid high import taxes.

The amended order provides a discount of 3.75 percent for one year relative to the selling price of vehicles assembled domestically. For the second year, the discount is set at 2.5 percent of the selling price of the vehicles.

General Motors CEO Mary Barra and Ford Motor Company President and CEO Jim Farley have pledged to produce more vehicles domestically. Both also reminded vehicle importers to match their commitment to building in the United States.

If every company selling vehicles in the U.S. matched Ford's production ratio in the U.S., for instance, four vehicles could be assembled in the U.S. each year. However, analysts at AutoForecast Solutions, Sam Fiorani, believe that the automotive industry could thrive due to stability. Trump's tariff changes are not sufficient to revive the automotive industry.

"Moreover, if the industry is asked to change. The production changes for vehicle manufacturing require months or even years. The costs are also not insignificant. Do not take it lightly," said Fiorani.

Arthur Laffer, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump during his first term, stated that unmodified tariffs could increase vehicle costs by 4,711 US dollars. New vehicles are sold at an average price of 47,462 US dollars. The tariffs burden the automotive supply chain, a complex network that spans the globe.

Not only do many car parts cross the North American border several times before being assembled into finished vehicles, but car manufacturers also rely on suppliers worldwide for thousands of components. Increased tariffs will burden new car buyers and push them toward the used vehicle market. Tariffs also affect the costs of ownership and maintenance of vehicles. (REUTERS/AFP/AP)