Yesterday, President Donald Trump visited General Motors’ Milford Proving Ground to brag about his tariffs. Residents of Rep. Tom Barrett's district, which is home to the Proving Ground, know the reality: the tariffs Rep. Barrett backed repeatedly have driven up costs and are hurting Michigan businesses.
The damage from the tariffs has been piling up for more than a year. In April 2025, Stellantis temporarily laid off workers at plants in Warren and Sterling Heights. That October, GM cut hundreds of jobs to protect profits against the added costs of tariffs. And this May, GM announced another round of job cuts, many of them in Michigan.
Rep. Barrett defended tariffs in a town hall last year, and voted to continue them in March 2025, April 2025, September 2025, and this February. Even when the Supreme Court declared many tariffs illegal, Congressman Barrett praised Trump for instituting tariffs, claiming they would benefit Michigan manufacturers.
All told, the tariffs have cost U.S. automakers more than $35 billion since 2025. The Michigan auto industry, which accounts for about 20% of the state’s jobs, has felt the impact with disrupted supply chains and multibillion-dollar losses. And tariffs have driven up the prices of everyday items like groceries and clothing. Michigan households have had to spend an additional $3,400 since Rep. Barrett took office last year.
“Everything costs more than it did a year ago, and the tariffs have a lot to do with it,” said Sheila, a resident of MI-07 who was featured in an ad campaign calling out Rep. Barrett for voting for tariffs that raise costs. “Congressman Barrett backed these tariffs, and families here have nothing to show for it except lost jobs and prices that keep climbing. With President Trump visiting Michigan yesterday, will Congressman Barrett continue to back an agenda that has made life more expensive for his constituents? Rep. Barrett should stop defending the tariffs and start working to lower costs for the families he represents."
