US President Donald Trump has defended his administration’s policies on immigration, Iran and tariffs as Americans head to the polls for the country’s midterm elections.
Trump made the remarks on Tuesday during a telephone appearance on the Fox & Friends programme, urging voters to support his Republican Party amid concerns that it could lose control of Congress.
He described the United States as being in a stronger position under his leadership, saying the country had improved significantly compared with two years ago.
“We have to keep America great. We’re great now. We were terrible two years ago,” he said.
Trump also claimed that the United States had regained international respect, adding that his administration would continue working to strengthen the country.
On immigration, the president defended his administration’s crackdown, claiming that it had significantly reduced the number of migrants entering the country through the US-Mexico border.
He alleged that large numbers of migrants, including criminals, had entered the United States under the previous administration.
Trump also defended the US military campaign against Iran, insisting that Washington had gained the upper hand in the conflict.
He claimed that the United States had control of the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade of Iran, while also declaring that inflation had been brought under control.
The conflict has, however, contributed to rising fuel prices in the United States, putting pressure on households and becoming a major issue in the election campaign.
On trade, Trump argued that his tariff policies were encouraging car manufacturers to invest in the United States rather than pay duties on imported goods.
“Car companies are pouring in because they don’t want to pay tariffs,” he said.
The midterm elections are seen as a major test of Trump’s second-term leadership, with voters deciding the composition of the House of Representatives and part of the Senate.
Democrats are seeking to regain control of Congress, while Republicans are campaigning to retain their majorities and maintain support for the president’s legislative agenda.
