WILMINGTON, Ohio -- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump continued to talk about his policies for trade reform and immigration in his second stop in Southwest Ohio on Thursday in Wilmington.
Trump stayed close to his tougher immigration policies of deporting illegal immigrants and “extreme vetting” that he’s mentioned at other past rallies, including a rally in Phoenix, Arizona on Wednesday.
“We only want to admit those who share our values and who love our people,” Trump said. “And don’t worry, the wall will go up.”
His message in Wilmington is a contrast to a speech he also made on Wednesday in Mexico alongside the Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto. Trump said in Mexico that both countries should “work together for mutual good,” to secure the border, while today in Wilmington he continued to go back to his “America first” message.
Wilmington local Erin Young said she thinks Trump will eventually ease his tougher views immigration, and that his trip to Mexico is proof of his transition.
“I’m glad. He needs to be diplomatic. He can’t go around making everyone angry. I think that he will eventually soften (on immigration).”
Trump also told supporters that Mexico would pay for the border wall he has proposed, even though the Mexican President tweeted the country will not.
WATCH our partners at Politifact rate candidates' recent claims on their Truth-O-Meter
“I’m not sure how the money works between the two countries, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t pay,” Trump supporter Karen Hunsucker said. “And if we did, I still wouldn’t have a problem with that.”
Throughout his speech, Trump said how trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership were taking jobs away from Ohio’s economy, but didn’t mention specifically Wilmington or the city’s recovering economy by name.
Trump is currently down by four points in a recent Ohio General Election poll done in late August. He heads on Friday to Florida, another critical swing state he needs to win to have the advantage over Hillary Clinton in November.
