Democrat Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan said she was “grateful” to speak with President Donald Trump on Thursday for a “productive meeting” that included discussions about jobs and tariffs.
Why It Matters
Since taking office for his second administration, Trump has pursued an arguably chaotic economic policy, which is reflected by the steep drop in the stock market in recent weeks: The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which was $44,873 at the start of February, had fallen to $40,813 by the close of business on Thursday.
Thursday’s drop marked a 10 percent drop over the previous month, which brought the market into a “correction,” the term Wall Street uses to indicate pessimistic investor sentiment. Analysts have highlighted the president’s trade war and flip-flopping tariff policy as the main factors in the steep decline.
This includes Trump’s threat earlier this week to double tariffs on Canada’s steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent, but he ultimately backed down and maintained his originally planned 25 percent tariff.
What To Know
“I had a productive meeting at the White House today with President Trump where we discussed bringing good paying jobs to Michigan,” Whitmer said on X, formerly Twitter.
“We also discussed tariffs, the importance of keeping our great lakes clean and safe, and additional defense investments in the state,” Whitmer said. “I’m grateful for his time today and I’ll always work as hard as I can with anyone for the state of Michigan and its people.”
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Whitmer’s office directed Newsweek to the governor’s statement.
This is Whitmer and Trump’s second meeting in under a month. The pair last met in late February during the White House’s National Governors Association Dinner. Whitmer said that she also addressed tariffs then.
Whitmer isn’t the only governor seeking an audience with the president this week to address economic concerns: Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, also a Democrat, is set to meet with Trump on Friday morning. She is expected to discuss tariffs, infrastructure, and energy concerns.
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What People Are Saying
Republican Michigan Representative Bryan Posthumus of Michigan, on X: “Gov. Whitmer (who wants to be president) just had her first ever one-on-one with President Trump at the White House. That’s something she never did during his first term. Funny how friendly the far-left becomes when there’s something in it for them.”
Gerard Lyons, chief economic strategist at Netwealth, said earlier this week: “When Trump was elected it was clear that his economic policies contained the good, the bad and the uncertain. The markets initially focused on the good—in terms of his tax and regulatory changes for the US economy. Now the focus is on the bad—namely tariffs. The uncertainty around the execution of these adds to the uncertainty. Tariffs can have a triple whammy, adding to worries about inflation, growth and denting confidence.”
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social: “Canada must immediately drop their Anti-American Farmer Tariff of 250% to 390% on various U.S. dairy products, which has long been considered outrageous….If other egregious, long time Tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada, I will substantially increase, on April 2nd, the Tariffs on Cars coming into the U.S. which will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada. Those cars can easily be made in the USA!”
What Happens Next
The president will continue to meet with governors as he seeks to advance his agenda for energy and tariffs. What policy changes may result from these meetings remains unclear at this time.
Update 3/13/25, 6:34 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
