Ahead of his campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, Donald Trump is highlighting the devastation that Hillary Clinton’s trade agenda has had on New Hampshire workers.
On Thursday, his campaign sent out multiple press statements to reporters—replete with citations and studies— documenting the devastating impact Hillary Clinton’s trade policies have had on some of the key battle ground states this election.
The data-rich press releases seem to underscore an observation CNN’s Dana Bash made earlier this week following Trump’s speech outlining his trade agenda. On Tuesday, Bash told CNN viewers that the media is now witnessing “a new Trump campaign”—one that appears better organized and more efficient. Bash noted that during his speech, his campaign was sending out detailed citations of facts and figures that bolster and confirm Trump’s arguments.
In one of Thursday’s press releases, the Trump campaign noted that “New Hampshire has suffered multiple factory closures due to offshoring.”
In 2014, Osram Sylvania, which manufactured lighting products, closed its plant in Manchester, New Hampshire and relocated to Mexico and China—resulting in the layoffs of 139 New Hampshire workers. According to the Union Leader, prior to relocating to Mexico, the plant had been a part of the Manchester community for more than half a century.
In 2009, Rockwell Automation Inc, which produced factory safety products, closed its plant in Manchester and relocated part of its operation to Monterrey, Mexico—resulting in the layoffs of 170 New Hampshire workers.
In 2009, Ethan Allen Interior Inc. closed its furniture assembly operations in Beecher Falls and relocated to Mexico—resulting in the layoff of 260 New Hampshire and Vermont workers.
“The layoffs in Beecher Falls are a huge blow to the region that for generations has made its living from the vast stretches of forest in Vermont and New Hampshire,” AP reported at the time. “There are few other immediate employment opportunities for Ethan Allen’s Vermont and New Hampshire workers who will lose their jobs at the end of August.”
The campaign further highlights that in 2015, Ethan Allen Interiors was in the process of constructing a $15 million upholstery plant in Mexico.
In 2008, Freudenberg-NOK, which manufactured motor vehicle parts, closed its plant in Laconia, New Hampshire and relocated part of its operation to Mexico—resulting in the lay offs of 120 New Hampshire workers.
In 2002, Risdon AMS—which made cosmetic products such as mascara brushes or tips for lip gloss— laid off half of its workforce and moved part of its operation to Mexico due to the lower cost of production.
Trump’s campaign noted that between 2001 and 2013, the U.S. trade deficit with China cost New Hampshire 22,700 jobs, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Based on data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, New Hampshire has lost nearly a third (31%) of its manufacturing jobs since Bill Clinton signed NAFTA. New Hampshire lost 36% of its manufacturing jobs since China entered the WTO—which was similarly negotiated by Bill Clinton and supported by Hillary.
The Trump campaign notes that in 1994, the year Clinton’s NAFTA went into effect, the U.S. trade deficit in goods with Mexico was $1.35 billion—as opposed to $60.6 billion in 2015.
In 2001, the year China entered the WTO, the U.S. trade deficit in goods with China was $83.1 billion—as opposed to $367.2 billion in 2015.
“Since 2001, the U.S. trade deficit in goods with China has totaled $3.58 trillion cumulatively,” the Trump campaign writes.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, the existing trade deficit with nations, who are participants in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, cost New Hampshire 7,400 jobs in 2015 alone.
It “will cost [New Hampshire] many more if Hillary Clinton gets her way,” the Trump campaign warns.
As Bloomberg reported in 2013, Hillary Clinton took on a “leading part in drafting the Trans-Pacific Partnership.”
CNN has reported that Hillary Clinton is on the record of having praised or promoted the TPP at least 45 times.
In his Tuesday jobs speech, Trump challenged the media to ask Clinton if she will pledge “to withdraw from the TPP her first day in office and unconditionally rule out its passage in any form.”
Given that Trump is campaigning in New Hampshire today, his campaign’s press releases seemed to focus on the impact Hillary Clinton’s trade policies have had on the Granite State.
However, in one press release the campaign seemed to indicate that Trump will be making similar revelations about the devastation Clinton’s trade policies have had on other battleground states down the road.
The Trump campaign briefly noted that:
Pennsylvania Has Experienced A Loss Of 36% Of Their Manufacturing Jobs Since The Ratification Of NAFTA, And 34% Of Their Manufacturing Jobs Since China Entered The World Trade Organization
Ohio Has Experienced A Loss Of 34% Of Their Manufacturing Jobs Since The Ratification Of NAFTA, And 32% Of Their Manufacturing Jobs Since China Entered The World Trade Organization.
New York Has Experienced A Loss Of 45% Of Their Manufacturing Jobs Since The Ratification Of NAFTA, And 39% Of Their Manufacturing Jobs Since China Entered The World Trade Organization.
Maine Has Experienced A Loss Of 39% Of Their Manufacturing Jobs Since The Ratification Of NAFTA, And 34% Of Their Manufacturing Jobs Since China Entered The World Trade Organization
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