LANSING - On Thursday, August 7th, the Michigan Democratic Party held a press call featuring Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel, and Michigan House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri to call out Mike Rogers for doubling down on supporting Trump’s chaotic tariffs threatening Michigan’s auto industry and manufacturing jobs. View footage from the event here.

“Businesses need certainty to make long-term investments that create jobs and drive innovation. Instead, Donald Trump is implementing trade policy that creates constant whiplash, leaving Michigan companies unable to plan, invest, or compete effectively,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “We don’t need a rubber stamp for this chaos, we need someone who will stand up for Michigan and the workers they represent.”

“We cannot afford six years of Mike Rogers rubber-stamping trade policies that hurt Michigan businesses and workers,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel. “We need a Senator who will fight for Michigan’s economic interests, not someone who dismisses our economic pain as a minor inconvenience.”

“Michigan deserves trade policies that strengthen our competitive position, not the impulsive policy-making and constant economic uncertainty supported by Mike Rogers,” said Michigan House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri. “We need a fighter for Michigan’s middle class, not a lap dog for Donald Trump.”

BACKGROUND

Mike Rogers strongly supports Trump’s chaotic tariffs and dismisses concerns about how they will impact Michigan.

• Rogers has called Trump’s chaotic tariffs an “absolute win” and said “we should all celebrate” Trump’s “masterful” decisions on tariffs. 

• Most recently, Rogers enthusiastically endorsed Trump’s Japan trade deal, calling the announcement “what America First looks like,” despite fierce pushback from the UAW and Big Three Automakers. The UAW is “deeply angered” by the deal because it “hands a win to transnational automakers that rely on low-road labor practices,” while unionized automakers “are left with fewer incentives” to create good jobs. The American Automotive Policy Council representing GM, Ford and Stellantis called it “a bad deal for US industry and US autoworkers.”

• When asked about the impact of tariffs in Michigan, Rogers dismissed any economic pain caused by tariffs as just a “shoe” that will “pinch every once in a while.”

New research shows Rogers-supported tariffs are devastating Michigan workers and businesses:

• New research shows Michigan is “third among states hit hardest” by Rogers-backed tariffs, behind only California and Texas.

• A new report revealed tariffs supported by Rogers could increase US factory costs by up to 4.5% and threaten Michigan’s manufacturing jobs.

• A new report reveals that Rogers-supported tariffs are on track to slash UAW profit-sharing checks by at least $3,000-$5,000 this year, with some Stellantis workers in danger of receiving no year-end bonuses for the first time since 2010. 

• Michigan businesses continue to suffer job losses:
• Ford faces a $2 billion tariff hit as “automakers are being whipsawed” by Rogers-backed tariffs.
• Detroit Axle cut 102 jobs, citing Rogers-backed tariffs.
• Pepsi shuttered its Detroit plant after more than 80 years in the Motor City, laying off 84 workers.
• Howard Miller Co., a nearly century-old clock company based in Zeeland, is closing its business, blaming tariffs in part for the decision.

View footage from the event here.