LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – While Michigan’s House and Senate work to solidify a budget deal before an Oct. 8 extension deadline, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer traveled to Canada where she criticized U.S. tariffs.
In addition, Whitmer addressed rumors about running for president in 2028.
White House contender or power player?
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A Canadian journalist asked Whitmer whether she will seek the Democratic nomination for president in 2028.
“I anticipate helping, but I don’t know if I’m going to be the person,” Gov. Whitmer said. “I don’t know if I need to be the main character in the next chapter, but I want to have a hand in writing it. Whitmer continued, “And I think I’ve got an important vantage point as the governor of an important swing state.”
Michigan’s role as a swing state played a major part in helping President Donald Trump win last November. Whitmer served as Vice President Kamala Harris’ election co-chair, but still could not deliver Michigan’s 15 electoral votes to the Democratic candidate.
Whitmer’s term as governor runs out at the end of 2026 because of term limits.
Whitmer’s tiff with Trump’s tariffs.
Gov. Whitmer’s keynote address at the Empire Club of Canada focused on what she referred to as the harm U.S. tariffs are causing to Michigan and its auto industry.
“We’re shooting ourselves in the foot with a chaotic national tariff policy,” Whitmer said during Wednesday’s speech. “Over the past ten months, the federal administration has slapped tariffs on nearly every country, including yours.”
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However, the Trump administration has maintained that “Studies have repeatedly shown that tariffs can be an effective tool for reducing or eliminating threats to impair U.S. national security and achieving economic and strategic objectives.” It continued, “A 2024 economic analysis found that a global tariff of 10% would grow the economy by $728 billion, create 2.8 million jobs, and increase real household incomes by 5.7%.”
Whitmer’s wanderlust.
Globetrotting is nothing new for Whitmer in 2025. In addition to this week’s visit to Toronto, she’s traveled to Spain, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Great Britain, and Ireland.
Last month while lawmakers watched the budget clock tick down, Whitmer traveled with members of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to Japan and Singapore.
Meanwhile, Whitmer’s ties to the MEDC and its distribution of taxpayer funds to a Democratic donor continue to be investigated by Attorney General Dana Nessel.
