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
USMCA
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, 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
The Manufacturing Comeback That Never Came
Source: The New York Times
Picture credit: Jesse Rieser
A Year of Missed Opportunities: One Year Later, Liberation Day
Source: The Detroit News
Picture credit: Clarence Tabb Jr.