Whitmer: Trump's Auto Tariffs Hurt Detroit, Help China

A Tale of Two Policies in the Motor City

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered a sharp rebuke of President Donald Trump's economic strategy at the Detroit Auto Show on Thursday, presenting a starkly different reality than the one Trump portrayed in the same city just two days earlier.

Speaking to the heart of America's automotive industry, Whitmer, a Democrat in her final year as governor, argued that the administration's tariff policies are actively harming U.S. auto manufacturing while inadvertently boosting Chinese competitors.

"This will only get worse without a serious shift in national policy," Whitmer warned, highlighting the economic uncertainty currently gripping the auto sector.

Her comments directly countered President Trump's recent message. During a visit that included a tour of a Ford plant in Dearborn, Trump defended his economic record, stating confidently, "All U.S. automakers are doing great."

Whitmer Details Damage to Manufacturing

The governor painted a contrasting picture, asserting that American manufacturing has been contracting for months, resulting in job losses and cuts to production. Whitmer's opposition to the tariff strategy is long-standing, particularly given Michigan's deep economic ties with Canada.

She emphasized the complex cross-border supply chain where auto parts frequently move between the U.S. and Canada during assembly. Disrupting this relationship, she argued, weakens the entire North American manufacturing base.

"America stands more alone than she has in decades," Whitmer stated. "And perhaps no industry has seen more change and been more impacted than our auto industry."

The White House did not provide an immediate comment on the governor's speech.

The Geopolitical Chessboard: Canada and China

A central theme of Whitmer's address was the geopolitical consequence of the administration's trade policy. She revealed that in every meeting with President Trump over the past year, she has argued that damaging the U.S.-Canadian relationship ultimately serves China's interests.

"When we fight our neighbors, however, China wins," she said, framing the issue as a strategic misstep.

This argument extends to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal negotiated during Trump's first term. While Whitmer defended the agreement, Trump recently suggested it was "irrelevant" during his Detroit-area tour, offering few details on his position ahead of the agreement's scheduled review this year.

A Calculated Political Approach

Whitmer's public disagreement with Trump is notable for its measured tone, which marks a difference from her relationship with him during his first term. She has made several visits to the White House over the last year, adopting a less combative public stance than other potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates like California's Gavin Newsom or Illinois's J.B. Pritzker.

President Trump himself has adjusted his approach to auto tariffs. After initially announcing a 25% tariff on automobiles and parts, the administration later relaxed the policy as domestic manufacturers sought relief from the threat of escalating production costs.