Whitmer warns tariffs hurt Michigan ahead of Carney-Trump talks

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(The Center Square) – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced he will visit Washington D.C. next week in an effort to advance conversations on lessening America’s tariffs on its northern neighbor.

This comes just days after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited Canada, where she gave a speech discussing the effects of tariffs.

In that speech, Whitmer focused on the negative effects of tariffs on Michigan businesses, especially the automotive industry.

“Tariffs are putting the middle class in a tough spot,” Whitmer said. “I’ve been very clear that I’m not opposed to tariffs outright, but we can’t treat them like a ‘one size fits all’ solution . . . Swinging the tariff hammer hurts us both, damaging supply chains, slowing production lines, and cutting jobs on both sides of the border.”

Currently, Canada already has the lowest average tariff rate of any American trading partner, with just 15% of its trade facing tariffs.

Still, Whitmer called the rhetoric coming from Washington D.C. “unwise, unnecessary, and unjustified,” ultimately arguing that China is the ultimate winner in the tariff wars.

“The only winner here is China. They’re coming for our auto industry,” Whitmer said. “China would love nothing more than to watch us cripple our own economies. We can’t afford to serve them the North American auto ecosystem on a silver platter. And we cannot turn our backs on each other, not now, not ever. We must keep talking and keep showing up for each other. We will get through this together.”

That is a message Whitmer said she has taken to The White House – meeting with President Donald Trump multiple times already since he was elected for his second term.

Carney’s office announced Friday that he will travel to Washington D.C. on Monday, with plans to meet with Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday.

That comes ahead of a review of the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. That agreement is the world’s second-largest free trade region.

“Canada and the U.S. each launched consultations last month that will inform preparations for the first joint review,” Carney’s office said in a statement. “The Prime Minister’s working visit will focus on shared priorities in a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the U.S.”

Trump’s office, and Republicans, argue tariffs will ultimately boost manufacturing in the United States.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the tariffs could generate $4 trillion in revenue over the next decade.