With Donald Trump’s re-election to the presidency on Tuesday, industry leaders are urging the new administration to focus on emerging technology development and create policies that will foster economic growth and protect U.S. jobs.
The rapidly developing field of electric vehicles and battery production was intertwined with the broader campaign conversation about jobs and strategies to strengthen U.S. manufacturing. Major automakers and others are hopeful the new administration creates policies to foster a competitive business environment.
Here are excerpts of what automotive leaders are saying about Trump’s election win.
SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola
“SEMA celebrates the re-election of Donald J. Trump as president, which promises to deliver to the nation and automotive aftermarket industry a host of important policies wins, including the prospect of tax cuts to support small businesses, a more-fair regulatory environment, and most importantly, a Day 1 end to EV mandates, which would have stifled American innovation and hindered an industry whose economic and cultural impact is integral to the American experience.”
UAW President Shawn Fain
“We’ve said all along that no matter who is in the White House, our fight remains the same. The fight to fix our broken trade laws like the USMCA continues. The fight for good union jobs and U.S. leadership in the emerging battery industry continues. The fight for a secure retirement for everyone in this country continues. The fight for a living wage, affordable health care, and time for our families continues.”
“It's time for Washington, DC to put up or shut up, no matter the party, no matter the candidate. Will our government stand with the working class, or keep doing the bidding of the billionaires? That’s the question we face today. And that’s the question we’ll face tomorrow. The answer lies with us. No matter who’s in office.”
Zero Emission Transportation Association
“The electric vehicle industry stands ready to work with President-elect Donald Trump, Congressional Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and all groups that want to ensure our nation’s innovation and economic competitiveness remain the best in the world. The next four years are critical to ensuring that these technologies are developed and deployed by American workers in American factories for generations – a goal that unites every state regardless of their electoral college votes.”
National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons
“Every election represents a new beginning, providing a fresh opportunity to work with and for all Americans, no matter their political affiliation, and to recommit ourselves to the American experiment. President-elect Trump, we have worked with you during your time in office to enact historic wins for the 13 million people who make things in America, to drive increased investment in the sector, create jobs and provide for communities across the country. Now it’s time to get to work to address the policies that will define your administration.”
“But we are facing monumental headwinds today, and sector optimism is at its lowest levels in years. The cost of business continues to increase. From health care to looming tax hikes, and aggressive agency overreach, the policies of today are keeping shovels out of the ground. We believe that we can build on the successes of our previous work together to roll back burdensome regulations, unleash American energy security, power the economy of the future with an all-of-the-above energy strategy and restore the dignity of manufacturing work.”
