The Metro: Gov. Whitmer talks tariffs at the Detroit Economic Club

WDET reporter Bre’Anna Tinsley attend the DEC event, held at MotorCity Casino’s Sound Board Theater. She joined The Metro to discuss Whitmer’s remarks. 

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the Detroit Economic Club on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the Detroit Economic Club on Monday, April 14, 2025.

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke at a Detroit Economic Club event on Monday.

Whitmer also met with President Donald Trump last week in Washington D.C., trying to ensure that Michigan receives federal help to restore power in northern Michigan after severe ice storms in late March. 

But tariffs, and how Michigan is navigating economic uncertainty, were also a focus at the White House and the DEC event. 

Auto suppliers are concerned that Trump’s tariffs will devastate their businesses, driving up the cost of cars and reducing sales. And this is important in Michigan where the auto industry makes up about 20% of our economy

WDET reporter Bre’Anna Tinsley attended the DEC event, held at MotorCity Casino’s Sound Board Theater. She joined The Metro on Tuesday to discuss Whitmer’s remarks. 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

More stories from The Metro on Tuesday, April 15:

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Authors

  • Sam Corey is a producer for 101.9 WDET, which includes finding and preparing interesting stories for the daily news, arts and culture program, The Metro. Sam joined WDET after a year and a half at The Union, a small newspaper in California, and stints at a variety of local Michigan outlets, including WUOM and the Metro Times. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago.
  • The Metro