President Trump met with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (d) on Thursday, at the White House after the Democratic governor described it as a “productive meeting.”
“We had a productive meeting with President Trump at the White House today, where we discussed bringing Michigan a good paying job,” Whitmer told NewsNation.
“We also discussed tariffs, the importance of keeping the Great Lakes clean and safe, and additional defensive investments in the state,” she added.
On Wednesday, a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum used to make vehicles and defence weapons came into effect.
The Trump and Whitmer meeting is an unusual show of bipartisan efforts between the White House and the Democratic swing governor.
“I'm grateful for his time today. Everyone works as hard as they can for Michigan and its people,” Whitmer said.
Michigan has the largest number of auto manufacturing jobs in the country, with nearly 19% of U.S. auto production, more than any state in the country. Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
President Trump struggled to gain the support of auto workers in the 2024 presidential election due to complaints against the 2016 administration, but the United Autoworker Union said he fully supports his “active” tariff actions.
Kellie Meyer contributed to this report.
