The Latest
A Conversation With Sen. Elissa Slotkin: The Threat of Chinese Vehicles to Michigan
On May 7, 2026, Sen. Elissa Slotkin joined Glenn Stevens Jr., Executive Director of MichAuto and the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Chief Automotive and Innovation Officer, and Sandy K. Baruah, Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer, to discuss the U.S.’s response to Chinese-made vehicles and what it means to the domestic automotive industry and national security. Award-Winning Journalist Guy Gordon moderated the discussion. Watch the event video.
In case you missed it, read MichAuto and the Chamber’s statement on the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026.
Refund Portal Now Open for Duties Imposed Under the IEEPA
U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened a refund portal for businesses to reclaim roughly $166 billion in duties.
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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.
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.
Resources
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.
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.
In the News
Federal Trade Court Strikes Down President Trump’s 10% Global Tariffs
Source: Automotive News
Photo credit: Bloomberg
