President Trump touted his tariff policies during a visit to South Carolina, pointing to a $1.5 billion investment by Octapharma in Rock Hill that is expected to create 1,500 jobs. Speaking at the site, Trump emphasized the impact his trade measures have had on bringing manufacturing back to the United States.
"Right here in Rockhill, Octo-Farma is investing $1.5 billion to build a new massive factory and create 1,500 jobs for a place called South Carolina," Trump said. "Place called South Carolina, have you heard of it?"
The president also highlighted a separate expansion from engineering company Re:Build, which is tripling its Rock Hill facilities and adding 150 jobs. Earlier that month, the company had announced the expansion.
Tariffs Bring Steel and Aluminum Back
Trump credited his tariffs on steel and aluminum with reviving struggling domestic industries. "Thanks to my tariffs on steel and aluminum, you know, we had almost our steel industries wiped out our aluminum. Everything was wiped out. They were all leaving our country," he said.
He said the alternative—paying tariffs on imported goods—has driven manufacturers to open plants in the U.S. "Now they're all pouring back in because they don't want to pay tariffs. It's very simple. You build here, you don't pay tariffs. You want to build outside. That's fine. Send your stuff in, you pay tariffs. Guess what? They come in."
Trump also noted the tariff revenue as a secondary benefit. "It's not only the money that we're taking it. It's also the fact that none of our businesses are ever going to leave," he said.
