Trump Takes Aim At Ford In Visit Near Motor City [VIDEO]
By Christy Strawser
BIRCH RUN (CBS Detroit) - As a presidential candidate, he's known for attacks, levying fury on fellow candidates, talk show hosts, politicians and political party leaders.
Now, Donald Trump has taken aim at the automotive industry.
At a stop near the Motor City where an enthusiastic crowd of 2,000 people loudly applauded his every line, Trump criticized Ford Motor Co.'s decision to move $2.5 billion worth of production to Mexico. The move was announced a few months ago.
In part of his long speech where he covered many topics, Trump said as president he would fight Ford Motor Company's decision to move production south of the border. It's unclear what role a president could take in blocking businesses from overseas production.
"Ford is building a $2.5 billion plant in Mexico," he roared to the packed auditorium in Birch Run, Mich., according to Bloomberg. "I'll actually give them a good idea. Why don't we just let the illegals drive the cars and trucks right into our country?"
"I would say, the deal is not going to be approved, I won't allow it. I want that plant in the United States, preferably here," Trump said.
He added: "So then I only have one question, 'Do they move the plant to the United States the same day or a day later?'" Trump asked.
In the talk, he called Mexico the new China.
Trump also told enthusiastic supporters at the Birch Run Expo Center that he wants to "make America great again," and spoke of marketing ideas such as re-branding. Instead of a corporation, he's talking about 're-branding' the United States.
"They say I've done a good job with branding, someone said 'Boy if you could do some branding for the United States because we have a country where the brand has been so badly hurt,'" Trump told the crowd.
Trump, who is leading in the GOP polls, says he wants to continue to run as a Republican, though he's under fire by many fellow candidates and party leaders for comments about race, immigration and women that some consider outrageous. Most recently, he seemed to insinuate FOX News reporter Megyn Kelly questioned him harshly during a candidates' debate because she was menstruating.
Saying in the past "I probably identify more as a Democrat," in this race Trump said he's committed to the Republican party.
"I can only go by the polls, you just look at the results, I guess Iowa just came out a little while ago - leading in Iowa, leading in New Hampshire, leading in North Carolina, leading in South Carolina, leading in Nevada, leading everywhere," said Trump.
