Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Vance Targets Foreign Labor in America-First Jobs Pitch
Vice President JD Vance said American companies should first train and hire people from the United States.
He argued that using fewer foreign workers could help US workers find jobs and earn higher wages.
He also criticized companies that move factories overseas to pay lower wages.
Vance described a case in which a US worker allegedly had to train someone from another country before losing his job.
He said the administration uses tariffs and rewards to encourage companies to keep production in America.
Vance connected this message to the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
He did not name a specific visa program or mention India in his speech.
He also said manufacturing jobs and wages were growing and announced a major Cleveland-Cliffs investment in Ohio.
US Vice President JD Vance said companies should train and hire US citizens before seeking foreign workers.
Speaking at a steel facility in Middletown, Ohio, Vance linked immigration restrictions to higher wages and more jobs for American-born workers.
He criticized overseas production, outsourcing and cases where US employees allegedly trained foreign replacements before losing their jobs.
Vance said tariffs and incentives were being used to encourage companies to manufacture in the United States.
He claimed manufacturing added 229,000 jobs in 2026, wages rose 4.2% year-on-year and Cleveland-Cliffs would invest $1 billion in Middletown.
- Who
- US Vice President JD Vance and the Trump administration.
- What
- Vance promoted training and hiring US citizens before recruiting foreign workers and defended related immigration, tariff and manufacturing policies.
- When
- The article does not specify the date of Vance’s remarks; it refers to manufacturing job figures for 2026 and the preceding 18 months.
- Where
- A steel facility in Middletown, Ohio.
- Why
- Vance said the approach would protect US jobs, raise wages, support domestic manufacturing and address outsourcing and immigration concerns.
- Speaker
- US Vice President JD Vance
- Location
- A steel facility in Middletown, Ohio
- Policy message
- Companies should begin by training and hiring US citizens before seeking foreign workers.
- Manufacturing jobs
- Vance claimed the sector added 229,000 jobs in 2026.
- Manufacturing wages
- Vance claimed wages rose 4.2% year-on-year.
- Cleveland-Cliffs investment
- The company announced a $1 billion investment in its Middletown steel operations.
- Visa programs
- Vance did not identify a specific legal visa program, including the H-1B program.