"Alliance Only When Convenient... Won't Come If US Is Attacked"
Harris Meets Voters, "Ready for TV Debate"
Former U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized on the 7th (local time) that "I am the 'Tariff President,' not the 'Tax Increase President,'" stressing that if he takes office, he will implement a strong protectionist trade policy using tariffs as a weapon, regardless of whether the countries are allies or adversaries.
At an outdoor rally held in Mosinee, Wisconsin, a key battleground state in the presidential election, Trump said, "Our allies have treated us more unfairly than the so-called 'enemy countries.'
Trump claimed, "We have been treated very badly by our allies in areas such as trade and military," adding, "We protected them, but they took advantage of us in trade."
He then stated, "We will become a 'tariff nation,'" and added, "That will not be at your expense, but at the expense of other countries."
Trump specifically mentioned the U.S. trade deficit with the European Union (EU), saying, "They will pay the price," and added, "We have supported them for a long time, but that is no longer sustainable."
He also introduced how his 'ally,' Tesla CEO Elon Musk, was not allowed by China to export American electric vehicles to China but was instead required to build a Tesla factory there, saying he would make the same demand of China.
Furthermore, he said, "If China or other countries impose 100% or 200% tariffs or taxes on us, we will impose the same 100% or 200% tariffs or taxes on them," emphasizing, "My message is simple. (If you want to export to the U.S.) make your products only in America."
Trump also expressed the perception that the U.S. is only being used in its relationships with allies.
He claimed, "When I went to the office as president, they (the aides) said, 'We have no ammunition. We gave it all to our allies.'
Trump continued, "When we need their help, they are not allies, and they are only allies when they need something from us," adding, "If we are attacked, no one will come to help."
Along with this, Trump said he was "very upset" about Russian President Vladimir Putin recently stating support for Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Trump added, "I wonder why he supports Kamala," and said, "He is a chess player." This suggests that rather than Putin speaking sincerely, his support for Harris was likely a calculated statement based on the political benefits it would bring to himself.
Meanwhile, Vice President Harris, who is focusing on preparing for her first TV debate with Trump on the 10th, met with voters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the largest battleground state in the election, on the same day.
Visiting a spice shop in Pittsburgh, Harris said she was "honored" to have received support from Dick Cheney, who served as vice president during the Republican George W. Bush administration, and his daughter, former Representative Liz Cheney, adding that their support "strengthens the fact that we have more in common than what divides us."
When asked by reporters if she was ready for the debate with Trump, Harris replied, "Yes."
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