Whitmer signs order assessing Trump tariffs' impact on Michigan economy

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order directing state agencies to assess the economic impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs on the state, particularly focusing on manufacturing, agriculture, and the auto industry. Whitmer and state officials express significant concern that the tariffs have weakened supply chains, increased costs for families, and caused major firms to scale back operations, with specific examples including losses reported by automakers Stellantis and GM, and the closure of Detroit Axle and the Howard Miller Clock Company. The tariffs, some of the highest in over a century, are expected to cost Michigan soybean farmers approximately $100 million annually. While Whitmer highlights the negative effects on Michigan's economy and calls for common-sense trade policies to reduce costs, President Trump argues that tariffs will boost domestic manufacturing and bring more jobs to the U.S. The economic uncertainty caused by the tariffs is noted as particularly acute in Michigan due to its manufacturing-heavy economy and reliance on trade with countries like Canada and Mexico. Republican lawmakers criticize Whitmer's directive as politically motivated and emphasize the need for solutions such as tax credits and regulatory cuts to alleviate rising costs for families.