Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan on Wednesday offered an olive branch to President-elect Donald Trump, saying she is “really looking forward to” working with him while suggesting any plan to impose new tariffs on imports must consider the impact on the state’s auto industry.
At the Detroit Auto Show, Ms. Whitmer said Michigan must maintain its strong economic relationship with Canada and that new tariffs out of Washington could hurt that collaboration.
“There has been a lot of talk about tariffs recently,” Ms. Whitmer said, alluding to Mr. Trump’s plan without mentioning him by name. “I want to be clear: I am not opposed to tariffs outright, but we cannot treat them like a one-size-fits-all solution, and we certainly shouldn’t use them to punish our closest trading partners.”
Ms. Whitmer, a possible 2028 presidential contender, said tariffs could hurt supply chains and production lines and eliminate jobs on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. She said higher tariffs would make it more expensive for consumers to purchase and fix their cars.
“The only winner in that equation is China,” she said. “They would love nothing more than to watch us cripple our auto economy system all by ourselves.”
Mrs. Whitmer has been considered a rising star in the Democratic Party for years after showing her ability to win in the perennial swing state.
Indeed, she overcame blowback against her administration’s COVID policies to win a second term in 2022.
However, Mr. Trump flipped the state back into the GOP column in the November election on his way to defeating Kamala Harris, who Ms. Whitmer campaigned for across the Midwest.
The election also changed the political landscape in Lansing, where Republicans flipped the state House, bringing the curtain down on the Democrat trifecta in state government.
Ms. Whitmer will now have to get more buy-in from Republicans as she looks to solidify her legacy and strengthen her image ahead of a possible bid for her party’s presidential nomination in four years.
She will also have the opportunity to imprint her identity on the national party as it looks to pick up the pieces from the disappointing 2024 election and rally behind leaders who can help them regain their footing.
In her first speech since the November election, Ms. Whitmer emphasized the need for compromise and bipartisanship.
“I just want to get things done — things that make a real difference in Mcihiganers lives so we can make people’s lives better,” she said. “I will work with anyone who is serious about solving problems and I will stand up to anyone who gets in our way.”
She said she is not going to “pretend we’re always going to agree” but said her first instinct is always to “seek collaboration first.”
“Both our state and national economy depend on our ability to work together in Lansing and with our partners in D.C.,” she said.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.