WARREN — Hillary Clinton delivered a speech at Futuramic Tool & Engineering, in which she described how she believes her economic plan is best for working Americans. Clinton’s speech follows a recent Donald Trump speech delivered before the Detroit Economic Club, in which he detailed his own economic plan. Clinton criticized Trump’s plan, saying it would hurt the middle class while aiding the wealthy.
Clinton pointed to the more traditionally Republican policies Trump outlined, such as cutting taxes for the upper class and loosening financial regulation, which she portrayed as harmful for the working class.
“Donald Trump wants to give trillions in tax cuts to people like himself,” she said, adding later, “Even conservative experts say Trump’s agenda will pull our economy into recession.”
Prior to her speech, Clinton toured the Futuramic facility and met with some of the factory’s workers. Clinton also reaffirmed her commitment to keeping jobs in the United States and her promise to stand against the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Trump has criticized her on her previous support of the TPP and the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, which was enacted under her husband, Bill Clinton. During the primary season, Sen. Bernie Sanders also criticized Clinton on this issue.
Clinton said she supports trade when it is beneficial for the United States, specifically the working class.
“The answer is to make trade deals work for us, not against us,” Clinton said, addressing the issue of the TPP. “I oppose it now, I’ll oppose it after the election and I’ll oppose it as president.”
U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D–Mich.) stated he believes in the authenticity of Clinton’s renewed position on these trade deals.
“She wants to take a fresh look at all trade policy,” he said. “She has made it clear that the TPP does not meet the standards that must be met for a trade agreement.”
Michigan has been highlighted as a battleground state this year, despite the fact the state hasn’t voted Republican in a presidential election since 1988. Currently, the Real Clear Politics polling average shows Clinton 7.7 points ahead of Trump nationally. In Michigan, Clinton leads by 11 points, according to a WXYZ-TV/Detroit Free Press poll.
On the topic of Michigan, Clinton said Trump focuses only on negative aspects of the state while ignoring its successes.
“He is missing so much about what makes Michigan great,” she said. “He describes America as an embarrassment. He says we’re becoming a third-world country. Look around you, my friends. You can really feel the dynamism that is driving this state’s comeback. The auto industry just had it best year ever. Over in Ann Arbor, high tech firms are thriving.”
Former Republican Gov. William Milliken, who endorsed Clinton earlier this week, said he believes many other Republicans in the state will shift their support to Clinton.
“We have a lot of other Republicans coming out in support of Hillary,” he said. “I think that will stand in Michigan, and hopefully it will grow. If and when we win, the government of Hillary will not just be for those who support her. It will be for everyone.”
Clinton also discussed her plans to address higher education and student debt, topics about which Trump has not yet discussed in detail. Clinton spoke about her New College Compact plan, which offers free public tuition for families who earn less than $125,000 and works to lessen student debt.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D–Mich.) said Clinton’s entire economic plan works better for students in terms of tuition and debt relief.
“This is a woman that is full of substance,” she said. “She’s got a plan for the first 90 days in office where she’s going to create jobs. She’s going to make college education affordable for everyone. … We’ve got to do something about staggering student debt, and she’s going to talk about that.”