From tax cuts to border control: Key takeaways from Donald Trump’s 90-minute speech at RNC

Donald Trump’s 90-minute speech at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee on Thursday was a multifaceted address that ranged from economic nationalism to personal reflections on a recent assassination attempt.

The speech, delivered to a packed arena, was a critical moment for Trump as he seeks to secure a return to the White House.

Here are the key takeaways from his address:

Economic policies: Tax cuts and trade wars

Donald Trump used the RNC platform to emphasize his economic policies, vowing to slash taxes and renew trade wars if given another term in office.

He criticized the current administration’s handling of the economy, particularly focusing on inflation.

We have long been taken advantage of by other countries, often being considered our allies. We lose jobs and revenue, they gain everything, and wipe out our businesses. I stopped it four years ago, and I will stop it again.

He promised to use “taxes, tariffs, and incentives” to bolster the US car sector and prevent the construction of auto manufacturing plants in countries like Mexico and China.

Trump’s pledge to revive trade conflicts reflects his ongoing commitment to the “America First” agenda, aiming to protect domestic industries through protectionist measures. This stance, however, could unsettle markets and businesses globally, similar to his previous term.

Immigration and border control

A significant portion of Trump’s speech was dedicated to immigration and border control.

He vowed to implement the “largest deportation operation in the history of our country” and accused Latin American countries of sending violent criminals to the United States.

“The world’s criminals are coming here, to a town near you — and are being sent by their governments, because their governments are smarter than ours,” Trump said.

Tonight, America, this is my vow: I will not let these killers and criminals into our country. I will keep our sons and daughters safe.

Trump’s rhetoric on immigration has been a cornerstone of his political identity, and his promises to crack down on illegal immigration and secure the US -Mexico border resonated with his core supporters at the convention.

Trump’s personal reflections and national healing

In a departure from his usual combative style, Trump began his speech by recounting the details of a recent assassination attempt.

He described how a bullet narrowly missed his head and grazed his ear while presenting a chart of immigration figures at a rally in Pennsylvania.

“By the grace of almighty God, I am here today,” Trump said, praising the Secret Service agents who shielded him.

This personal anecdote set a somber tone for parts of his speech and allowed him to make a pitch for national healing and an end to “discord and division.”

Trump invoked God multiple times and talked about attending meetings with the late evangelist Billy Graham, nodding to his loyal evangelical Christian base. However, he did not mention the issue of abortion, which has become a contentious topic for Republicans in recent elections.

Foreign policy and national security

On foreign policy, Trump contrasted his approach with that of the current administration, claiming his policies had preserved peace compared to the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine that have flared up since he left office.

He gave a nod to Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian prime minister, as a “tough leader” and mentioned North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, saying, “I think he misses me.”

Trump also criticized Biden’s foreign policy and promised to create a version of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. He pledged to restore “peace, stability, and harmony all throughout the world,” although he provided few details on how he would achieve these goals.

Political context and implications

Trump’s speech comes at a pivotal moment in American politics. With less than four months until the November election, Trump leads Biden in nearly all national and swing state opinion polls.

This makes him the clear favorite to return to the White House, despite his recent criminal convictions.

Biden, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, faces an unprecedented revolt from members of his own party urging him to abandon his re-election bid.

The speech also served as a climax to a four-day Republican convention dominated by the fallout from the assassination attempt on July 13.

Trump and his allies have adopted “fight, fight, fight” as their rallying cry, echoing his words as he was ushered off the stage after the attack in Butler, Pennsylvania.

As Trump seeks to solidify his position as the Republican frontrunner, his promises of tax cuts, trade wars, and strict immigration policies are likely to resonate with his base.

However, his ability to unite the country and deliver on these promises remains to be seen.