WASHINGTON _ In a meeting with automakers at the White House, President Donald Trump said he continues to look for ways to increase U.S auto production in Michigan and elsewhere.
General Motors' Mary Barra, Ford's Jim Hackett and Fiat Chrysler's Sergio Marchionne were part of the group meeting with Trump and administration officials in the Roosevelt Room.
The meeting was called to talk about changes to fuel efficiency standards. Last month, the Trump administration announced it would roll back mile-per-gallon standards for model years 2022-26 from tougher standards put in place by the Obama administration.
Trump said he wants "more cars to be made in the United States. ... millions of more cars." He also specifically noted Fiat Chrysler's planned expansion in Michigan, saying "Right now, he (Marchionne) is my favorite person in the room."
Automakers have said they want to continue to increase fuel standards but need more flexibility in doing so. They also want to head off a challenge by California and some other states to keep tougher standards in place in their states.
Trump also said he remains intent on renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement with a key deadline coming Thursday.
"We'll see what happens," Trump told reporters before the meeting with automakers began and saying that the other NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico, were battling him on a deal.
"Look, they don't want to lose the golden goose," he said. "But I'm not representing (them)."
