Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan expressed her support for President Trump’s recent reciprocal tariffs during a speech in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. While she agrees with the idea behind the tariffs, she emphasized that they should be applied carefully and thoughtfully, like a surgeon using a scalpel.
Whitmer, who is seen as a potential candidate for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, acknowledged the motivation behind the tariffs, which have caused significant turmoil in the stock market. She stated, “We do need to make more stuff in America. More cars and chips. More steel and ships. We do need fair trade.”
However, she raised concerns about the timing and execution of these tariffs, noting that they could not have come at a worse moment due to rising inflation and living costs. Whitmer criticized the broad application of tariffs, saying, “You can’t just pull out the tariff hammer and swing at every problem without a clear, defined end goal.” She advocated for a bipartisan approach to trade policy that would encourage collaboration with allies to boost American manufacturing.
Trump recently imposed a 10% base tariff and higher rates on certain countries, including a staggering 104% tariff on China following its retaliation against the U.S. The White House stated that Trump has directed his economic team to pursue tailored trade deals with foreign nations.
During the event, Whitmer admitted that she had not fully considered how her approach to tariffs would differ from Trump’s. She remarked, “I don’t know how I would’ve enacted them differently,” but reiterated that the focus should be on using tariffs strategically.
Whitmer’s comments reflect her broader political strategy following the recent loss of Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. As she prepares to leave office in January 2027 due to term limits, she has hinted at her future ambitions and the need for a female president, pointing out that the gender of a candidate should not overshadow their qualifications or the outcomes of elections.