Democrat Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has pledged to rejuvenate America’s stagnant manufacturing industry, but her state’s own manufacturing sector has declined significantly in recent years.

Whitmer gave Wednesday speech In Washington, DC, we repeat the vision that President Donald Trump’s vision will lead to the “.The Golden AgeAmerican manufacturing. Despite expressing support for domestic manufacturing, the governor criticized the president’s “blunt” use of tariffs, claiming it would lead to “higher costs, lower employment and increased uncertainty.”

“This is my pitch… Let’s continue,” Whitmer said in his speech. “In America, make more ships, planes and semiconductor chips. Cut off the deficits and unlock the extraordinary possibilities of the American industry. Let’s live a decent life for more hardworking people.

Despite her comments on Wednesday, Whitmer faces Public criticism In recent years, he has dropped out of thousands of manufacturing jobs in Michigan while he was in his tenure.

Michigan worked in January 2019 for 628,900 manufacturing jobs. According to To the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data collected by Fred. In particular, according to BLS, as of February 2025, the state’s manufacturing sector had only 601,300 jobs.

“Michigan has lost 27,600 manufacturing jobs in Whitmer’s term.th James Homan, director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Public Policy Center, told the Daily Call News Foundation. Michigan’s economy is lagging behind. ” (Related: “Businesses Take Home”: UAW President defends Trump’s tariffs at oral slugfest along with MSNBC hosts)

Still, Michigan is a significant part of the US manufacturing industry. $62 billion The value of goods exported from Michigan in 2023; According to To the National Manufacturers Association.

Additionally, the two-term Democratic governor also warned during his speech about the potential negative impact Trump tariffs could have on the US automotive industry. March, Trump announcement 25% customs duties and tax claims on vehicle and auto parts imports “It protects the American automotive industry, which is crucial to national security and is being damaged by excessive imports that threaten America’s domestic industrial base and supply chain.”

The White House argued in its fact sheet that automotive rates would help bring businesses back to the US to “return to re-shore, allowing the US to maintain domestic industrial bases and meet national security needs.”

“I’m not going to sugar coat it,” Whitmer said in her remarks. “The last few days have been extremely tough for Michigan. 20% of our economy is related to the automotive industry. This relies on a steady flow of goods from the largest and closest trading partners. We are home to North America’s busiest border crossings. We are already seeing the impact of stockpiling car companies’ supplies and laying workers. And all of our car jobs support the other three in our community, so we all feel the impact.”

Despite claiming that Trump’s tariffs could harm the US auto industry, one of America’s largest unions praised the taxation, arguing in a statement that the move “reclaims good union jobs for the US.”

The steady decline in Michigan manufacturing employment has been linked by some to the removal of the “right of labor” law. I passed In 2012, it prevented employees from being required to join or financially support unions as terms of employment. Whitmer signed the law abolition The “Rights of Labor” Act of March 2023 allows union members to require employees to pay union membership fees and fees. Abolished, that took place effect February 2024 will not affect public sector employees in particular.

“Whitmer has also ended Michigan’s labor rights policy, which has now made private workers contribute to the union, whether they want to be members or not,” Homan told DCNF. “This will reduce accountability for unions and hurt Michigan’s employment growth.”

Republican Michigan Sen. Matt Hall argued in March 2023, criticising Whitmer for repealing the law. statement Abolition will lead to Michigan businesses discovering that “they are more competitive states for manufacturing plants and R&D facilities, and workers and careers drifting away.”

Whitmer too Instructions All non-critical Michigan businesses temporarily shut down In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, this the result Selection subject unemployment and shutter Many of the tHe describes the car manufacturing plant. Several sectors of Michigan’s economy have rebound Since the pandemic of accommodation and tourism –Manufacturing is one sector where employment levels have not returned to pre-pandemic rates.

One of Trump’s key promises was to stimulate US manufacturing and boost the American automotive industry on the campaign trail. A variety of major companies, tech companies and foreign countries have committed to investing more money in the US and manufacturing more products in the US since Trump returned to his oval office. Apple, Eli Lilly, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

Trump and Whitmer have been around for many years Critics Each other’s policy and former president reference To her as a “Michigan woman.” But, Trump said Wednesday that she was a “very good guy” who did a “great job” in Michigan while hosting Whitmer in her oval office. The president won the 2024 election over Michigan, receiving 49.7% of the vote.

Whitmer’s Office did not respond to requests for comment from DCNF.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan newswire service that is free to use for legitimate news publishers that can provide large audiences. All republished articles must include logos, reporter signatures and DCNF affiliation. For questions regarding our guidelines or partnerships with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.