Donald Trump outlined his economic vision Thursday, focused on putting America’s national interests first, as he called for robust economic growth, tax reform, reduced regulation and better trade deals.
“I’m not running to be the president of the world, I’m running to be president of the United States,” Trump said, assuring the Economic Club of New York that his plan is US-centric.
Trump gave specific goals — and policy details — urging the US “to start thinking big once again.”
“[I]t is time to establish a national goal of reaching 4 percent economic growth,” he said.
Robust economic growth, he said, would help America recover from its financial woes. “Over the next 10 years, our economic team estimates that under our plan, the economy will average 3.5 percent growth and create a total of 25 million new jobs.”
Trump proposed “bold new tax reform.” When the audience hesitated to applaud immediately, the Republican said, “Don’t worry, they’re going down,” referring to tax rates, “not up.”
It will be simpler and lower, Trump said, when he’s president. In a question-and-answer session, he added that his plan would decimate the tax preparer industry.
The business-minded crowd cheered loudest when he said the corporate tax rate would be lowered to 15 percent — and, later, when Trump pledged to “put an end” to the regulation industry.
“I will eliminate all needless and job-killing regulations now on the books,” Trump vowed.
He also addressed energy reform, which would “lift restrictions on all sources of American energy production.”
In what he called “the foundation for everything,” Trump reiterated his pledge to renegotiate trade deals so that they’ll favor American workers.
Trump said his plan would open up a “new highway of jobs into our country.”
“Our plan will produce paychecks — and they’re going to be great paychecks — for millions of people who are unemployed or underemployed,” Trump added.
“This is the most pro-growth, pro-jobs, pro-family plan put forth perhaps in the history of our country.”
To draw a contrast — and to make the case that changes in the US are required immediately — the Republican presidential candidate talked about Flint, Michigan, which he visited Wednesday.
“It used to be cars were made in Flint and you couldn’t drink the water in Mexico,” Trump said. “Now cars are made in Mexico and you can’t drink the water in Flint.”
Trump also used the Manhattan address to bash Hillary Clinton’s economic plan, saying it favored only donors and special interests — and that only those who cozied up to Clinton could get rich. “The only thing she can offer is a welfare check,” he said.
The mogul began his address by boasting of his rising poll numbers.
“I’ve been leading in so many polls, I don’t know where to begin,” he said, citing polls showing him ahead in North Carolina, Florida and nationally.
Terry Lundgren, the chair of Macy’s and head of the Economic Club, skipped Thursday’s event.
Trump has feuded with the retailer since it announced it was pulling his clothing line following comments he made about Mexican immigrants.
Trump was introduced by his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who said, “It’s a great honor for this small-town boy to be in the Big Apple.”