Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) called for a more strategic approach to President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which were enacted on nearly every nation last week.
The Democratic governor’s remarks came during her “Build, America, Build” speech Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C. The speech marks Whitmer’s first address in the nation’s capital this week. She will meet with Trump later on Wednesday.
“I’ll work with anyone who’s serious about solving problems to grow our economy, protect our national security, and bring manufacturing back to Michigan,” Whitmer said.
Whitmer noted her common ground with Trump on the need for more American manufacturing and fair trade policies but split with the president on his sweeping approach.
“I understand the motivation behind the tariffs, and here’s where President Trump and I do agree. We do need to make more stuff in America … more cars and chips … more steel and ships. We do need fair trade,” she said, arguing for a more strategic approach than Trump has put forward.
“You can’t just bust out the tariff hammer to swing at every problem without a clearly defined end goal. We also cannot underestimate or underappreciate the time and capital it will take to actually bring jobs and supply chains back home,” Whitmer said. “There’s no shortcut here. Strategic reindustrialization must be a bipartisan project that spans multiple presidential administrations.”
Gov. Jared Polis (D-CO) agreed with Whitmer’s “tariff hammer” reference, saying in a social media post, “the ‘tariff hammer’ winds up hitting your own hand rather than the nail. Tariffs are bad outright because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing. Trade is inherently good because both parties emerge better off from a consensual transaction.”
Whitmer addressed some of the pressing concerns surrounding the tariffs Trump enacted and their possible effect on Michigan.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it. … These last few days have been tough for Michigan,” Whitmer said. “Twenty percent of our economy is tied to the auto industry, which depends on a steady flow of goods from our largest and closest trading partners. We’re home to the busiest international border crossing in North America. More than 10,000 vehicles carrying parts and materials cross the bridge between Detroit and Windsor every weekday.”
“All of this uncertainty is going to cost all of us, but especially auto workers,” Whitmer said.
Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all cars and car parts made outside the United States. Auto parts manufactured in Detroit, which borders Canada, often cross the border multiple times before final production due to the strong relationship between Detroit and Windsor, Canada.
Stellantis has already laid off 900 employees in response to the tariffs, and other Michigan Democrats have expressed concern.
RUST BELT DEMOCRATS IN A BALANCING ACT OVER TRUMP’S AUTO TARIFFS
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) said in a statement that the tariff plan on the auto industry “appears to be a step toward on-shoring supply chains and bringing manufacturing back to our country” and that she “will work with anyone to support these goals.”
She added a caveat, however, noting, “We need to remember we must allow the auto companies and suppliers the time they need to adjust — production changes can’t take place overnight.”