Clinton warns Trump will plunge US into recession
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Hillary Clinton on Tuesday said that Donald Trumpwould send the US economy back into recession, warning his “reckless” approach would hurt workers still trying to recover from the 2008 economic turbulence.
Clinton’s address in Ohio, one of the most important battleground states, sought to define Trump as little more than a con man, whose ignorance and ego would tank the global economy, bankrupt Americans and risk the country’s future.
“Every day we see how reckless and careless Trump is. He’s proud of it,” the Democratic presidential candidate said. “Well, that’s his choice. Except when he’s asking to be our president. Then it’s our choice.”
At an alternative high school in Columbus, she questioned whether Trump had the temperament to guide the economy and repeatedly pointed to his business record as evidence of how he would treat small businesses and working families.
Stinging one-liners
“Just like he shouldn’t have his finger on the button, he shouldn’t have his hands on our economy,” Clinton said.
Her speech included stinging one-liners, including a takedown of Trump’s best-selling books.
“He’s written a lot of books about business. But they all seem to end at Chapter 11,” she said, in an allusion to the US bankruptcy code.
Trump tweet
Trump responded on Twitter as Clinton delivered her address, writing in one tweet: “How can Hillary run the economy when she can’t even send e-mails without putting entire nation at risk?”
The businessman later appeared to embrace one of Clinton’s attack lines, writing: “I am the king of debt.” That has been great for me as a businessman, but is bad for the country. I made a fortune off of debt, will fix US.”
Clinton used Trump’s own statements to undercut his economic credentials, citing remarks he made that that United States could sell off assets, default on its debt and that wages were too high.
‘Global panic’
Clinton said financial markets often “rise and fall” on comments by presidential candidates. Suggesting the United States could default on its debt could cause a “global panic,” she added.
She also seized on a report on Monday by Moody’s Analytics which found Trump’s plans would lead to a “lengthy recession,” costing nearly 3.5 million American jobs.
The analysis by Moody’s Mark Zandi, a Clinton donor and former economic adviser to Republican Sen. John McCain’s 2008 campaign, predicted Trump’s approach would swell the federal debt as the US economy became more isolated by less trade and cross-border immigration.
Trade wars
Clinton said there was a difference between “getting tough on trade” and “recklessly starting trade wars.” She noted that many of Trump’s products were made in countries like China, Mexico, Turkey, India and Slovenia.