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Opinion | Detroit Auto Show highlights why Michigan needs stable, fair trade policy
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As Michigan’s largest city hosts its annual celebration of the auto industry at the Detroit Auto Show this month, the global reach of this evolving sector is again on display as the event showcases 41 brands from around the world and draws people from more than 30 countries.
The auto industry is a worldwide business — responsible for tens of millions of jobs — and its continued success depends on a consistent and effective trade policy. The industry’s success is particularly important to our state as it accounts for about 20% of Michigan jobs with a payroll of more than $80 billion.
Michigan put the world on wheels, and the auto industry is deeply rooted in our state’s economy, culture and history.
Because of that, elected leaders, policymakers and officials of both political parties must come together to show support for consistent trade and tariff policies that will create jobs, lower costs for manufacturers and families alike, and protect Michigan’s vital trading relationship with Canada, while strengthening our national security.
Smart trade policy recognizes that America’s auto industry competes on a global stage and needs access to inputs, components and markets to succeed. Global supply chains work best when we have consistent trade policies in place that help to reduce the pressures of everyday costs and support the entirety of Michigan’s diverse economy.
That’s why the work of a newly formed group called the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance is so important. This nonpartisan group is working to promote conversations about smart, consistent and fair trade policy, without political games being played by local politicians. Because there is too much at stake for Michigan.
We are working with a broad-based group of businesses interested in being able to have thoughtful trade policy discussions from autos to agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and more. Michigan business leaders want to shine a spotlight on consistent trade policy that opens foreign markets, making it easier for our manufacturers and farmers to sell abroad.
This is especially important to the long-term future of the auto industry, where tariffs are “going to drive up the cost of vehicles, and it is going to make us uncompetitive with the rest of the world. Plain and simple,” said Mary Buchzeiger, CEO of Lucerne International, an Auburn Hills-based auto supplier that stopped a planned project to create 325 jobs in Detroit due to tariffs and regulatory upheaval.
A fair, thoughtful and consistent tariff policy is not a blue or red issue. That’s why MISTA is facilitating this coalition to showcase the need for trade and tariff policy that protects Michigan businesses and enhances our national security.
We are working together to elevate the voices of our tourism industry, manufacturers, autoworkers, small-business owners, farmers and others who are doing their best to navigate uncertainty in today’s economy.
Detroit’s annual celebration of all things cars at its auto show on our border with Canada is a reminder that this is a global industry and a reminder of our strong historic partnership with our northern neighbor. Let’s come together to show support for a commonsense tariff policy that works for everyone, lowers costs and protects our trading and tourism relationships with other countries. Join us on the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance website to learn more and show your organization’s support for smart, fair trade and tariff policies that will create more local jobs, reduce costs for Michigan families and protect our relationship with Canada on everything from autos and agriculture to tourism.
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