Trump tells Concord rally he’ll get tough on trade

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump told a Concord rally of more than 3,000 supporters that he promises to get tough on trade and stop companies like Carrier and Nabisco from moving to Mexico.

“I love the concept of free trade, but to have free trade you need smart leadership,” he told the cheering audience.

Several protesters were ushered out, which has become commonplace at his events.

Before Trump took the stage, Earl Phillip, a Harrisburg Republican and Trump’s state director, warmed up the crowd with a series of chants including “Romney sucks” and, referring to Democrat Hillary Clinton, “Lock her up!”

Former President Bill Clinton also will be in the Charlotte area Monday campaigning ahead of North Carolina’s March 15 presidential primary.

Campaigning for his wife and Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton will speak at 4:15 p.m. at Johnson C. Smith University’s Biddle Hall. Doors open at 3:15 p.m. This event is also free, and those interested can register here.

Trump will be back in North Carolina Wednesday to speak at the Crown Center Coliseum at 1960 Coliseum Drive in Fayetteville. Doors open at 4 p.m., and Trump speaks at 7 p.m. Register here.

Early voting in North Carolina began last week.

This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 8:14 AM with the headline "Trump tells Concord rally he’ll get tough on trade."