Trump takes economic message to Michigan amid dwindling popularity

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that US President Donald Trump travelled to Michigan on Monday to promote his economic agenda at a General Motors site in Milford, a state central to his trade and manufacturing message. Speaking as supporters displayed “American Jobs” signs, Trump argued that the country is performing strongly and said his administration is encouraging new auto plants and factory investment.

The visit comes as Trump’s standing in Michigan has weakened. Al Jazeera cited an EPIC-MRA poll from last month showing his approval rating in the state at 33 percent, less than two years after he won Michigan in the 2024 presidential election with 49.73 percent of the vote. David Dulio, a political science professor at Oakland University, told the outlet that economic concerns appear to be the main factor behind the drop, with voters more likely to feel grocery, fuel and other day-to-day costs than large investment announcements.

Michigan is a major auto-manufacturing centre and a key US-Canada trade corridor, making it especially exposed to Trump’s tariff policies and trade tensions with Canada. Al Jazeera noted that the White House has pointed to billions of dollars in Michigan investment, including by GM, Ford and Stellantis, while federal data showed manufacturing employment fell by 2,000 jobs in May and rose by 3,000 in June.

The state’s political importance extends beyond the next presidential race. Michigan has an open US Senate seat in November, currently held by retiring Democrat Gary Peters, and the Cook Political Report rates the race a toss-up. Republican Mike Rogers will face the winner of a Democratic primary between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed.