Trump in Kenosha vows to protect American jobs
KENOSHA, Wis. — Turning back to the economic populism that helped drive his election campaign, President Donald Trump signed an order Tuesday he said should help American workers whose jobs are threatened by skilled immigrants.
At the headquarters of hand and power tool manufacturer Snap- on Inc., Trump signed an order aimed at curbing what his administration says are hiring abuses in a visa program used byU. S. technology companies. Dubbed “Buy American and Hire American,” the directive follows a series of recent Trump reversals on economic policies.
“We are going to defend our workers, protect our jobs and finally put America first,” Trump declared, standing in front of an American flag fashioned out of wrenches.
Much like some prior orders, however, Trump’s executive action Tuesday essentially looks for detailed reports rather than making decisive changes. In this case, the reports are about granting visas for highly skilled foreign workers and ensuring that government purchasing programs buy American- made goods as required by law.
Trump chose to sign the directive at Snap- on Inc., based in Wisconsin, a state he narrowly carried in November on the strength of support from white, workingclass voters. Trump currently has only a 41 percent approval rating in the state.
Trump on Tuesday returned to the economic tough talk of his campaign, saying: “We’re going to make some very big changes or we are going to get rid of NAFTA for once and for all,” referring to the Clinton- era U. S. trade pact with Canada and Mexico.
In his new directive, the president is targeting the H- 1B visa program, which the White House says undercuts U. S. workers by bringing in large numbers of cheaper, foreign workers and driving down wages. The tech industry has argued that the H- 1B program is needed because it encourages students to stay in the U. S. after getting degrees in high- tech specialties — and because companies can’t always find enough American workers with the skills they need.
The new order would direct U. S. agencies to propose rules to prevent immigration fraud and abuse in the program. They would also be asked to offer changes so that H- 1B visas are awarded to the most- skilled or highestpaid applicants.
Snap- on makes hand and power tools, diagnostics software, information and management systems, and shop equipment for use in various industries. During the tour, Trump was shown metal boxes where cremated ashes are deposited. He called it “very depressing.”