"I can't even buy cookies for my grandchildren
." This is a complaint from a man living in the Rust Belt, Pennsylvania, in the eastern part of the United States.
The United States continues to experience record inflation due to the effects of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
What will those who have witnessed the decline of the industry think about the midterm elections?
What is Last Belt?
"Rust Belt", translated into Japanese, means "rust zone".
In the area that stretches from the Great Lakes area to the eastern Atlantic coast, heavy industry and manufacturing industries such as the steel industry used to flourish.
It provided steel for some of America's most iconic buildings, including the Golden Gate Bridge, and employed more than 30,000 people during World War II.
However, the steel industry in the United States lost its competitiveness, and factories closed one after another.
People living in this region have been tossed about by changes in the industrial structure.
Rust Belt Workers
A corner of the Rust Belt, a city in Midwestern Ohio, Youngstown.
It once prospered as one of the nation's leading steel industry bases, but now the abandoned factories stand out.
Joseph Schrodek, who lives near Youngstown, worked in a steel mill and served as a local party leader as a Democrat for 40 years.
However, the steel industry, the main industry, is sluggish.
It is said that the declining population has not come to a halt, and people have become strongly anxious about the future.
"I can't even buy my grandson's cookies."
In the 2016 presidential election that Mr. Trump won, he cast one vote with high hopes for Mr. Trump, a Republican who said he would "protect the jobs of workers."
6 years later.
I believe that we need a strong leader like Mr. Trump at a time when life is difficult.
Mr. Schrodek:
"I can't even buy my grandchild a cookie even if I go to the supermarket. Mr. Trump took control of this country brilliantly. I want to go back to that time."
'Trump's words are empty'
Some people hope that the development of new manufacturing industries will lead to the revitalization of the region.
Pat Morhead, 50, who lives near Youngstown like Schrodek.
I have been working at a factory for a major local automaker for over 20 years, but the factory suddenly closed in 2019 during the Trump administration.
After that, another company bought it, and now it's transformed into an EV manufacturing plant.
Pat Morhead:
"This region has lost many jobs, from steel mills to the auto industry. Trump's words were empty. There's no point in looking back and lamenting what you've lost. Looking to the future." We need leaders with the will to open up.”
Who are the Rust Belt Candidates?
Ohio Senate Election.
Republican candidate J.D. Vance, 38, has a unique career as a best-selling author.
Democratic candidate Tim Ryan, 49, has served in his hometown House of Representatives for nearly two decades.
Both candidates have emphasized a worker-focused stance.
Republican Vance:
"It has to be a state where people get a chance. That's America First. I'm here to say we need to go back to the real Trump policies."
Democrat
Ryan
Solar, gas, batteries, electric vehicles...Honda, Ford, big companies are investing in our community, and we're working for the jobs of the future here in Ohio."
Rust belt as seen by Caster Yui
Following the presidential election six years ago, Yui Caster, who visited The Rust Belt again this time for coverage, what do you think about the future of the US economy?
Q.
Do both Democrats and Republicans care about workers?
A.
Although there are differences in the types of companies that we invite and the industries we aim to develop, we actually share the same position of wanting to revive the manufacturing industry in Japan.
In the Rust Belt, former President Trump criticized the free trade policies of successive administrations, which led to the shift of manufacturing to other countries such as China and Mexico.
On top of that, he won the workers' vote by advocating America First and protectionist trade policies, and won the 2016 presidential election.
Winning workers' votes is the key here.
Q.
What are the parties complaining about?
A.
Both are appealing for the domestic return of the industry.
US trade policy was once referred to as "offshoring."
By moving manufacturing to low-wage countries, American consumers have enjoyed the benefits of being able to shop cheaply.
However, now that political conflicts with China and Russia have overlapped, from the perspective of economic security, it is also necessary to "on-shoring" (domestic production) and "friend-shoring" (building supply chains among friendly countries). production), and this trend is expected to continue regardless of the results of the midterm elections.
Q.
Are there any differences in trade and economic policies with China?
A.
Regarding China, which the United States positions as the only competitor, the opposition Republican Party is seen as taking a tougher stance, but even among the ruling and Democratic parties, there are candidates who are pushing China to the fore in the election campaign.
One of them is Democrat Ryan from Ohio.
They also ran video ads aimed at winning workers' votes.
"China vs. America. Capitalism vs. Communism."
The Democratic Party is one of the support bases of Asian Americans, and this video ad was controversial as it would stir up hostility to China, but candidate Ryan did not retract the claim.
Q.
What is America's future policy toward China?
A.
A Washington expert said:
“In order to run faster than China, the United States will invest in semiconductors and technological innovation to maintain its leading position in the latest technology.In addition, we will implement strong export controls to hold back China. It's the same"
In the current midterm elections, various economic policies are being discussed between the ruling and opposition parties amid record high prices.
However, trade policy is inward-looking.
And against China, be tough.
I felt that this line would not change much regardless of which party won the majority in the midterm elections.