Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer told President Donald Trump that his tariffs are having a negative effect on her state’s flagship auto industry during a closed-door meeting at the White House.
Whitmer, a possible 2028 presidential candidate, made the case on Tuesday that Michigan’s economy is tied to auto manufacturing and that the tariffs are hurting it, according to a person briefed on the meeting. She argued that Michigan is vulnerable to duties on Canada and Mexico and pushed Trump to help her create jobs in Michigan, the person said.
“I will always do whatever I can to make life a little easier for Michiganders and strengthen our economy. We should do everything in our power to lower costs and grow more good-paying jobs in Michigan. I appreciate the president’s time and attention to the matters we discussed,” Whitmer said in a statement.
The meeting is the latest sign of the widespread fallout from Trump’s tariff agenda, which carries consequences for states and voters he won in the 2024 election.
Trump is betting that duties on imports of vehicles and parts will bring more auto manufacturing to the US. But they risk upsetting globally integrated supply chains, which could drive up costs for manufacturers and consumers.
Representative of Detroit’s Big Three carmakers have said that trade agreements reached with the European Union, South Korea and Japan to lower tariffs on their vehicle exports to 15% from 25% put US companies at a disadvantage.
A White House official said it’s unsurprising Trump keeps tabs on Michigan, a state he won by 1 percentage point.
Whitmer also asked Trump for a slower transition and phase-in for new rules governing Medicaid in the president’s signature tax and spending bill in order to alleviate harm for recipients of the health care program for the poor, according to the person briefed on the meeting.
In April, Whitmer faced criticism for meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, an encounter that resulted in an awkward photo when she covered her face with a binder when reporters entered the room. She has argued that meeting with Trump is part of her job and delivers results for her state, pointing to a new fighter mission for Selfridge Air National Guard Base in the Detroit suburbs.
“I’ve always said that I’ll work with anyone to get things done for Michigan. That’s why I’ve continued to go to Washington, D.C. to make sure that Michiganders are front and center when critical decisions are being made,” Whitmer said in her statement.
Photo: Gretchen Whitmer speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on April 9, 2025. Photographer: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
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