Trump Visits Peterbilt Plant to Push Tariff-Driven Job

President Donald Trump will visit the Peterbilt Motors manufacturing facility in Denton, Texas, on Thursday. The stop is designed to highlight the administration's argument that tariffs are driving a domestic manufacturing resurgence and job growth ahead of the November midterm elections.

Trump is expected to tour the truck plant and speak to workers. The administration will focus on the 25% tariff imposed on November 1, 2025, on imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks and on non-USMCA-compliant truck parts. White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said the administration’s policies have generated more than 1 million private-sector jobs and trillions of dollars in announced investments.

Administration credits tariffs for PACCAR’s U.S. Production and hiring increase

A White House official stated that Peterbilt parent PACCAR has increased U.S. Truck production and employment since the tariffs took effect. The official credited the policy with adding more than 1,000 new jobs at the Denton facility and more than 2,000 jobs across PACCAR’s U.S. Operations. Those employment figures were provided by the White House and were not independently confirmed.

Broader economic context: job gains and losses under Trump administration

Government employment data presents a mixed picture for the manufacturing sector. Since Trump took office in January 2025, the overall economy has added 807,000 jobs. Over that same period, however, manufacturing employment declined by 35,000 jobs. The construction sector added 95,000 new jobs.

The administration contends that investments in new factories are not yet fully reflected in employment numbers. Officials point to Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing the economy lost 202,000 manufacturing jobs in the 12 months before Trump took office, a trend they say has now reversed with three consecutive months of gains.

Political timing: visit aligns with GOP midterm messaging strategy

The visit is part of an active domestic travel schedule to promote the administration's economic record. It comes as Republicans push a positive economic message despite stubborn inflation and high gas prices, which are tied to the military conflict with Iran. Trump headlined the first-ever Republican midterm convention in Dallas earlier this month.

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said heavy truckmakers had moved jobs out of the U.S. For decades, but that changed on November 1, 2025. He congratulated Trump for delivering for heavy truck workers. Peterbilt and its sister brand Kenworth, both subsidiaries of PACCAR, move about 30% of the country's truck freight. PACCAR is the only remaining American-owned high-volume heavy truck manufacturer.

Trump is expected to tour the truck plant and speak to workers.