DETROIT – President Donald Trump returned to Detroit on Tuesday, defending his economic policies at the Detroit Economic Club even as new inflation figures show continuing price pressures and local business leaders express concerns about economic uncertainty.
The December inflation report showed prices rose 0.3% for the month, driven primarily by higher housing and food costs, both at grocery stores and restaurants.
The annual inflation rate stands at 2.7%.
“Now, after less than 12 months in office, I’m back in Michigan to report to you of the strongest and fastest economic turnaround in our country’s history,” Trump told the audience at the Detroit Economic Club.
However, a recent survey suggests Michigan business leaders are less optimistic.
According to the 2026 Michigan Economic Outlook Survey, 55% of respondents from business, nonprofit, and government sectors expressed negative views about how Trump’s policies would impact Michigan’s economy this year.
Democratic opposition has focused on cost-of-living concerns.
Rep. Debbie Dingell highlighted ongoing economic challenges facing Michigan residents.
“People are worried about the cost of groceries. They’re worried about the cost of housing,” Dingell said. “Millions of people have lost their health care, and can’t afford their prescriptions. They can’t get care either for their child or long-term care for their parents or for a loved one.”
Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, acknowledged the challenges posed by economic uncertainty while emphasizing a local focus.
“When you try to make multimillion-dollar decisions, lack of predictability can be very frustrating, but at the end of the day, what we are focused on what we can control in Michigan, and we want to work with our federal government,” Messer said.
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
This president is coming to try to make up for the failed agenda that he’s had. I mean, we’ve had a negative effect on manufacturing across this country. We were promised that food prices would go down, and that wages would go up. None of that’s actually happening. And while he’s involved in many foreign entanglements and giving tax cuts to billionaires, he has raised health care costs for thousands of Michiganders -- And what this president has done has broken every promise he made.
MIGOP Chairman Jim Runestad released the following statement:
President Trump understands what it takes to boost our economy and ensure that hardworking families are the first to reap the benefits from an improved economy. President Trump continues to restore our economy by rolling back Biden-era regulations that stifled innovation and limited growth. Republicans in Michigan are proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump to deliver results for Michiganders and all Americans.
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