The Latest From MichAuto
Feb. 20 – MichAuto Statement on SCOTUS IEEPA Decision
“The decision released this morning from the Supreme Court, striking down the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, correctly recognizes that the law was misapplied when targeting our friendly trading partners in North America and elsewhere.
While we recognize that other avenues exist for the Administration to again impose these tariffs, we continue to stress that Michigan’s businesses are disproportionately negatively impacted by tariffs, especially in our automotive, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors.
MichAuto and the Detroit Regional Chamber continue to support the use of tariffs as a means to ensure a level playing field in global economic exchange and will work with federal officials and the U.S. Trade Representative to achieve a balanced approach to international trade. It remains our focus and objective that the governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico extend the USMCA this year. We are stronger together with our closest trade partners.”
-Glenn Stevens Jr., Executive Director, MichAuto; Chief Automotive and Innovation Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber
Trade
MichAuto, Chamber Join the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance
On April 15, 2026, MichAuto and the Detroit Regional Chamber joined the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance, a coalition advocating for “smart” trade policies amid President Donald Trump’s increase in tariffs.
In a recent Crain’s article, Glenn Stevens Jr., MichAuto executive director and the chamber’s chief automotive and innovation officer, said Canada is “critical” to the economy.
“Together, Michigan and Ontario built our automotive industry over the past 120 years, and for us to thrive – we need to continue to strengthen that relationship,“ he said. ”It continues to benefit people and businesses on both sides of the border.”
Building a Stronger Cross-Border Trade Future for the Detroit Region
On April 8, 2026, MichAuto, the Detroit Regional Chamber, and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce welcomed Ontario Treasury Board President, the Honorable Caroline Mulroney, for a conversation on cross-border trade, supply chains, and North American competitiveness.
The roundtable convened top statewide business leaders, including members of MichAuto and the Chamber, and offered a platform to discuss the critical economic ties between Michigan, the Detroit Region, and Canada, which underpin one of the most integrated automotive supply chains in the world.
USMCA: A Critical Tool for Michigan’s Economic Future
As the USMCA 2026 joint review approaches in July, MichAuto and the Detroit Regional Chamber proactively developed a comprehensive one-pager outlining why the agreement is important, why it is critical to Michigan, ways to strengthen the agreement, and what MichAuto and the Chamber are doing to advance its strategic renegotiation and extension.
MichAuto Advocates for Extension of Critical Trade Agreement, USMCA
On Dec. 4, 2025, MichAuto’s Director of Government and Community Affairs, Paul Corbett, was in Washington, D.C., to provide comment on upcoming USMCA renegotiations. Corbett presented on behalf of the state’s automotive and mobility industry before the United States Trade Representative to ensure the agreement is thoughtfully renegotiated and extended. The three countries are expected to begin these discussions in July 2026.
Reports
2026 State of the Region Report: Trade Policy and Tariff Instability
The Detroit Regional Chamber released its 2026 State of the Region report, revealing the Detroit Region’s economic health and its implications for businesses.
A critical challenge highlighted in the report is the instability of trade policy and tariffs. For Michigan’s $348 billion automotive and mobility sector, tariffs on iron, steel, aluminum, vehicles, and vehicle parts pose a significant risk to the supply chains that sustain the state’s signature industry.
2025 Detroiter Magazine: Why U.S.–Canada Trade Is Critical to Michigan
The December 2025 edition of the Detroiter magazine highlights the importance of U.S.-Canada trade and its disproportionate impact on Michigan.
As the state’s only automotive and mobility association, MichAuto advocates for policies that protect Michigan’s global competitiveness, safeguard cross-border supply chains, and ensure fair trade practices that strengthen our automotive and mobility ecosystem.
In Stevens’ letter featured in the magazine, he emphasizes that Michigan’s strong economic ties with Canada, including supply chains and the Gordie Howe International Bridge, make strengthening USMCA and protecting cross-border trade vital for the state’s competitiveness.
Analysis
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Pushes Tariff Refunds for Businesses
The Manufacturing Comeback That Never Came
Source: The New York Times
Picture credit: Jesse Rieser