Vice President JD Vance visiting North Carolina Friday to focus on the economy

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Vice President JD Vance visited North Carolina on Friday, where the economy was the central theme.

The event was held in Rocky Mount at the Power House, an event venue right off the Tar River. Much of his remarks centered on the economy, including effects from the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Vance pointed to inflation rates, tax cuts, and Social Security while emphasizing job creation, one of the stated reasons behind the White House’s move to implement tariffs.

“If you’re building a furniture facility, a furniture business right here in the state of North Carolina, we’re going to cut your taxes,” Vance said. “But if you’re trying to bring in foreign furniture to undercut the jobs of the people in North Carolina, we’re going to raise your taxes by 50%. We’re going to put a big, fat tariff on those foreign companies bringing that stuff in the United States.”

In a statement, the Democratic National Committee hit the Trump administration over tariffs:

“Donald Trump’s disastrous economic agenda has crushed working families,” the DNC said. “Prices continue to rise, and consumers are spending more for less – all while everyday Americans foot the bill for Trump’s tariffs, and pay for his chaotic war of choice with Iran.”

An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll released last month found that 29% of respondents said the economy has improved since Trump took office, while 48% said it has gotten worse. While those numbers reflect an improvement from last year, economic concerns remain a significant challenge for the administration as it heads into the midterm election cycle.

“The economy is weighing on everyone’s mind,” said Mary Helen Warren, president of the Tar River Republican Women. “Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, unaffiliated, doesn’t matter. If you’re paying bills, you’re worried about the economy.”

Roughly 150 seats were set up for the event, with most filled nearly two hours before the vice president’s scheduled appearance. Among those in attendance were State Auditor Dave Boliek and Laurie Buckhout, the Republican nominee in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, who recently received Trump’s endorsement.

Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler introduced the vice president on-stage. North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley also spoke prior to Vance’s remarks.

Vance did address the ongoing military operation in Iran briefly at the end of his speech, though he largely focused on other issues.

This was Vance’s second trip to North Carolina since becoming vice president. He spoke in Concord in September about public safety in the wake of the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.

ABC11’s Michael Perchick contributed from Rocky Mount.