Workers in Michigan’s auto industry are feeling hopeful about President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs, according to Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI). Speaking to Breitbart News, McClain shared that many workers are willing to accept some short-term uncertainty for the promise of more jobs in the future.
McClain represents Michigan’s ninth congressional district, which includes several auto plants like Stellantis’s facilities in Warren and Sterling. These plants are preparing for temporary layoffs as Stellantis pauses production at some assembly sites in Canada and Mexico, a move linked to the new tariffs.
Stellantis, which employs nearly 39,000 people in Michigan, is the state’s fifth-largest employer. McClain noted that while there is some concern over current instability in the auto sector, it only makes up about 15 percent of what she hears from her constituents. Many workers seem patient and optimistic, believing that the tariffs will ultimately lead to more manufacturing jobs at their plants.
McClain pointed out that layoffs occurred in the past under former President Joe Biden due to electric vehicle mandates. In contrast, she believes workers are feeling more positive now because they think the tariffs will boost production at their facilities.
Last week, Trump announced significant reciprocal tariffs, emphasizing the idea that if other countries charge the U.S., the U.S. will respond in kind. McClain also expressed that there would be fewer issues with Stellantis’s plants in Mexico and Canada if they followed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal that Trump had previously championed.
While McClain acknowledged that the tariffs won’t fix everything immediately and that there will be some discomfort during the transition, she believes that many people are willing to make sacrifices for the chance of more jobs. She highlighted the pressing issue of job losses in Michigan, noting that the state even lost a congressional seat due to population decline.
Overall, McClain emphasized that her constituents are looking at the tariffs from a perspective focused on job creation and long-term stability in the auto industry.