LANSING — Last night, Republican candidate for governor John James voted to keep in place Donald Trump’s chaotic, cost-raising tariffs on Canada, which have devastated Michigan’s economy and jacked up prices. Earlier this week, James eagerly defended and came out in support of Trump blocking the opening of the Gordie Howe bridge—even as his family’s company previously hosted a binational celebration in 2013 for the new bridge.

In response, Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Derrick Honeyman released the following statement:

“John James continues to throw Michiganders under the bus as he’s supported Donald Trump’s threats to block the Gordie Howe Bridge and now voted to keep in place Trump’s price-hiking tariffs on Canada. Michigan’s economy and workers are reeling from Trump’s deeply unpopular agenda, and at every turn, James continues to side with Trump and billionaires over working Michiganders.”

James’ Cost-Raising Tariffs on Canada Are Hurting Michigan:

• A November state report warned that “federal tariffs and retaliatory trade measures are driving up costs for families, homebuyers and workers across the state.” 
  
• Canada is Michigan’s largest trading partner and Trump’s tariffs on Canada have wreaked havoc on Michigan’s economy. The trade war risks handing China a competitive edge and has caused a steep drop in Canadian travel to Michigan.
  
• The Washington Post’s editorial board noted how Michigan has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs, food prices have gone up, the cost of building a home has spiked, and farming exports have cratered since Trump’s reckless tariffs on Canada were introduced. 
  
• A recent poll commissioned by The Detroit News shows that close to two-thirds of Michiganders are seeing their household costs increase—and a plurality of likely voters gave Trump’s handling of the economy a failing grade of a D or F. The poll also found that a plurality of respondents, 48%, said Trump’s economic policies—including tariffs—have made the national economy overall weaker. 
  
• A poll from the Detroit Regional Chamber found that 79% of likely Michigan voters view Canada as an economic friend, with just 7% of voters surveyed seeing Canada as a threat. 

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