Whitmer told Trump in private that Michigan auto jobs depend on a tariff change of course
August 10, 2025
Michigan’s governor met privately with President Donald Trump to urge him to change course on tariffs that are having a big impact on automakers in her state. Democrat Gretchen Whitmer came for the Oval Office meeting Tuesday with a visual presentation to warn that the tariffs threaten Michigan’s economy and undermine Trump’s promises to revive manufacturing. Trump has stuck with high import taxes despite pushback from auto executives as the tariffs cost the industry billions and trigger layoffs. Whitmer’s rare access to Trump as a leading Democrat underscores the political and economic stakes as the president considers escalating tariffs further.