Arizona, United States

Donald Trump, in his first campaign event since his historic conviction, has announced that he would overturn President Joe Biden's recent order aimed at curbing illegal border crossings.

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Speaking during a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, the White House hopeful pledged to use economic sanctions against countries that do not stem the flow of migrants into the United States.

'If a country is not going to behave'

Addressing an audience in the key battleground state, 'felon' Trump emphasised using tariffs as a deterrent. 

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Responding to a question about his plans to help shut off the flow of people entering the US via the southern border, Trump said, "We have tremendous economic power… if China or some other country is behaving badly, we have things called tariffs that are so severe."

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"We are going to be so tough and if a country is not going to behave, we're going to tariff the hell out of that country," he added.

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However, as per an AFP report, the republic did not share details about the exact kind or size of tariffs he would impose.

Felon Trump in public

The event marked Trump's first public appearance since being convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. 

At the campaign event, AFP reported that the audience's questions included topics like the cost of living but remained largely focused on immigration. This issue as per polls is one of the primary concerns for voters ahead of the November 5 election.

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To address these concerns and prove his might on an issue he's perceived to be badly performing on, Biden recently issued an executive order restricting asylum claims when illegal border crossings exceed 2,500 per day. It also facilitates deportations to Mexico. 

The order, intended to be temporary until crossings fall below 1,500 per day, has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Republicans view the measure as insufficient, while others criticise it as too harsh.

Trump, seizing on this discontent, promised to rescind the order immediately if elected. "On Day One of my administration, I will be rescinding Crooked Joe's outrageous executive order," he declared, labelling it as "pro-invasion, pro-child trafficking… pro-drug dealers" without providing evidence.

Addressing a cheering crowd, he also vowed, "I will terminate every single open borders policy of the Biden administration."

The Republican leader's previous term was marked by strict immigration measures, including a controversial travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries.

(With inputs from agencies)