Economics
Trump Targeting Rust Belt Leaves Democrats Playing Catch Up
- President has strengthened hand with key swing-state sectors
- Democrats can shift focus to manufacturing in next debates
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Donald Trump, both as a candidate and as president, has assiduously targeted Rust Belt states with attention and policies -- including tariffs -- that he can point to as evidence that he made good on his promise to bolster American manufacturing, especially the steel industry.
That’s put Democrats running to replace him at risk of falling behind the president in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio that will prove crucial to deciding who wins the White House. And so far, they’re not doing a lot to catch up.