SAVANNAH, Ga (WCBD) – A sea of “Make America Great Again” apparel blanketed the perimeter of the Johnny Mercer Theatre on Tuesday as crowds of people eagerly awaited the opportunity to hear from former President Donald Trump. Dozens of supporters were up earlier than the sunrise, waiting in line hours ahead of the Republican presidential nominee's afternoon arrival in Savannah, Ga. The event, which was billed as a policy event rather than a traditional rally, saw Trump outline his plans to incentivize what he called a “manufacturing renaissance” by cutting the corporate tax rate to 15% for companies that produce domestically and placing tariffs on imported goods.   “If you don’t make your product here, you will have to pay a tariff, a very substantial tariff when you send your product into the United States,” Trump said during his speech in Savannah. Tariffs have been central to Trump’s economic messaging, even as economists warn his plan could fuel inflation and lead to higher prices for American consumers. Still, Trump pledged to place a 100% tariff on cars made in Mexico that are sold in the U.S., which he said would force automakers to move their plants back to the U.S. The former president railed against several of Vice President Kamala Harris’ economic proposals, labeling her “the tax queen” and laying out the targeted tax cuts he says he would make if elected. “We will have no tax on tips,” he said. “No tax on overtime. And for our seniors who have been devastated by this Harris-Biden inflation...no tax on Social Security.” Harris’s plan includes tax breaks for new small businesses and a higher tax on long-term capital gains for households making more than $1 million annually. The economy has emerged as one of the most salient issues in the 2024 campaign. A September survey found that eight in ten registered voters say it will be very important to their decision in the presidential race.   But, voters are also split on which candidate would do a better job tackling inflation, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Her campaign, however, was focused on a different issue Tuesday. The Democratic National Committee launched four billboards throughout the Savannah metro area, attempting to tie Trump to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and subsequent statewide abortion bans. “Donald Trump is responsible for the peril Georgia women now face due to the state’s extreme abortion ban,” DNC Spokesperson Maddy Mundy said in a statement. “Unfortunately, ripping away access to lifesaving reproductive care in Georgia isn’t enough for Trump and his extreme allies. His Project 2025 agenda would take the dangerous bans he calls ‘beautiful to watch’ nationwide while threatening IVF access for Georgia families and all Americans. This election, women in Georgia and across America will vote against Trump like our lives depend on it – because they do.” Trump did not mention abortion in his remarks. His visit comes as he tries to blunt Harris’ overall momentum in Georgia where aggregate polling from Decision Desk/The Hill shows an exceedingly tight race. Trump is trying to flip Georgia back to red after losing the battleground state to President Joe Biden in 2020. Several states are making late changes to election rules, even as voting is set to begin It is a different story in neighboring South Carolina, where voters have remained fiercely loyal to the former president. Trump carried the state by about 11 points in the 2020 election and cruised to victory over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the Feb. 24 GOP primary.   Further, the Palmetto State has backed a Republican in every presidential election since 1980. No general election polling has been conducted in South Carolina yet this cycle, but party leaders feel confident in another win.   “President Trump’s policies and plans for a second term are the reasons why everyday Americans want him back in the White House,” South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick said in a statement to News 2. “Our country needs a leader to put us back on the right track and that’s why his support is growing here in South Carolina along with Republicans up and down the ballot.” The enthusiasm was shared by Bluffton resident Mark Hewell who said the chance to see the former president in person energized him for the upcoming election. “It’s great energy for me as I prepare to vote on Nov. 5,” he said. “I just hope all my fellow South Carolinians do that and show up on Nov. 5 and vote for our president, your president Donald Trump” The deadline to register to vote in person and online in South Carolina is Friday, Oct. 4. Early voting will be open for two weeks before Election Day, from Monday, Oct. 21 to Saturday, Nov. 2.