Gretchen Whitmer Urges Trump Administration to End Food Tariffs
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is demanding the federal government eliminate food supply chain tariffs and reimburse Michigan families for increased grocery costs.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is urging the Trump administration to eliminate federal tariffs on the food supply chain and reimburse Michigan residents for increased grocery costs. In a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Whitmer called for the removal of import taxes on food supplies, fertilizer, and agricultural machinery implemented in April 2025.
Whitmer argued that Michigan has been hit harder by these policies than any other state. She cited estimates that Michigan households have faced an average tariff burden of over $6,400 since January 2025, contributing to grocery price increases between 2.4 percent and 3 percent. Additionally, she noted that exports to Canada, the state's largest trading partner, fell by more than 12 percent last year.
President Donald Trump has defended the tariffs, which range from 5 percent to 14 percent, as a necessary tool to support American businesses. The request for relief follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared several of the administration's initial tariffs illegal and ordered the government to return collected funds to suppliers.
To mitigate the impact, Whitmer highlighted state-level initiatives including free pre-K, school meals, and more than $1 billion in tax relief for working families and seniors.
