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Economic signals in the state show mixed results: unemployment up to 4% and inflation in the Philadelphia area around 3.3%, suggesting a cooling but not booming economy.

Philadelphia-area inflation runs about 3.3%, with the Fed Beige Book signaling softer hiring and signs of economic slowing, including weaker manufacturing activity.

Public concern in Pennsylvania over the costs of food, groceries, healthcare, and gasoline remains high, with a large share of voters citing food costs as a major worry.

A White House official says the Pennsylvania trip is meant to spotlight Trump’s claimed inflation-fighting steps and economic plan, with the northeastern Pennsylvania stop identified as the first major event in a year-long push.

Axios reports that the visit launches a year of stateside travel to sell his economic agenda ahead of the midterms, starting in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Trump intends to frame the trip around his Day One priority of tackling inflation and to pitch his economic policies to voters.

AP VoteCast data from the 2024 election show Pennsylvania voters continuing to fret about affordability in areas like food, healthcare, and energy prices.

Pennsylvania’s job market has kept Biden-era growth largely intact, but unemployment rose to 4% from 3.6% over the past year, with about 24,000 more people unemployed.

Trump carried Pennsylvania in the 2024 election with about 50.4% of the vote, underscoring the state’s battleground status.

Trump contrasts his economic approach with Biden’s, arguing inflation improvements under his policies while acknowledging ongoing pressure in utilities and ACA premiums, and highlighting lower gasoline prices.

The move follows off-year election sentiment shifts, emphasizing affordability concerns and Trump’s direct-to-public messaging on economic policy.