WASHINGTON – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer laid out what he called a “consistent national strategy” to bring manufacturing back to the United States in a lengthy speech on Wednesday in the country’s capital, just hours after President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the largest US trading partner came into effect.
After highlighting her work in Michigan and boosting manufacturing, the second-term Democrat told attendees:
“Let’s give harder-working people a fair shot in decent lives, and, as President Trump says, guide us through the “golden age” of American manufacturing,” Whitmer added.
The speech was a prominent political foray outside Michigan for Democrats considered the 2028 presidential candidate, but Whitmer brushed off the questions after his speech about future political ambitions. She focused not only on policy goals, but on her idea of reestablishing trust and her ability to work beyond party boundaries. She mentioned partisanship like an illness, telling attendees that “partisanship seems to infect every aspect of our lives, and that’s exhausting.”
The way Whitmer dealt with Trump was also outstanding, mentioning the president more than a few times. He criticized his tariff plans first, but emphasized the work he did to achieve what he called a shared goal.
She initially called the tariffs “triple-wammy: higher costs, lower employment, and increase uncertainty.”
“I understand the motivation behind tariffs. Here’s where President Trump and I agree. We need to make more things in America. More cars and chips, more steel and ships. We need fair trade,” the governor said.
Hours after Whitmer’s speech, the president announced for 90 days that he would suspend retaliatory tariffs in most countries.
But even before audiences across the country, Whitmer maintained the bipartisan message she preached in Michigan all year round, telling participants:
She condemned the unsolved spread of “opportunistic politicians, cynical media figures, and addictive algorithms.”
In a question and answer session following his speech with journalist Gretchen Carlson, Whitmer said at that point, “We will never find a common ground without talking to each other.”
“We have an obligation and pledge to get things done, put the welfare of the Michigan people before our own interests, before our political interests, stay at the table, find a common basis for something,” she added.
In that post-speech conversation, Whitmer dealt with criticism of her approach and previewed her second White House meeting later on Wednesday, within a month.
“I got it, I understand why people feel that way,” the governor told Carlson in March when he asked Carlson about 70% of Democrats who said they were opposed to Trump as much as possible than finding a common position with the president.
“I’m worried and angry about the many policies that are coming out of Washington, D.C. right now, I’m going to make a vow to the people of Michigan and try to do a lot for the state,” Whitmer added.
Later Wednesday, Whitmer appeared in the oval office, with Trump signing several executive orders.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was “honored” to have Whitmer there.
“She did a really great job,” he added.
Following Trump’s remarks, one Michigan Republican strategist told NBC News, “Trump is running to replace Michigan Republicans in 2028, literally saying Whitmer is doing a great job.”
On Wednesday morning, Whitmer stressed that she would pull back attempts to restrain Republican rights and freedoms, despite her seeking a common basis.
“I put people accountable,” she said.
As an example of her ongoing bipartisan efforts, Whitmer told Carlson that Republican Michigan Senator Matt Hall was in a meeting with Trump and several cabinet officials on Wednesday.
“I don’t know I’ll set up any position,” Whitmer said. “But I’m not giving away the opportunity to talk about things that are important to my state.”
Whitmer’s approach to the Trump administration is to sit at the table and focus on a common ground – at odds with the strategies that some of her Democratic governors are taking. For example, Illinois Governor JB Pretzker has taken a solid anti-Trump stance so far in his second term as president.
Others, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Gov. Andy Besher, have argued for the heart of the political spectrum in recent media appearances and podcast episodes.
All four governors often go high on the list of rumors for the 2028 Democratic presidential candidate.
However, when asked directly by Carlson if he plans to run for president three years later, Whitmer said, “No, no,” and laughed.
“This is similar to the speech I gave in Michigan,” the governor said. “This is a blueprint for success. This is what we did in Michigan during World War II. This is what we can do as a country. We need leadership focused on these things.”