President Donald Trump’s administration is sounding off on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s claim that tariffs “would be a disaster” for Michigan’s auto industry specifically and economy at large.

Whitmer has crusaded against Trump’s planned 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico since before voters put him in office, most recently in her delayed State of the State address last week.

“Industry leaders and top economic minds on both sides of the aisle are warning us about the havoc that 25% tariffs would wreak on Michigan’s auto industry, while raising everyday expenses for families,” Whitmer said. “I’m grateful that Republicans, Democrats and private sector leaders are speaking out against widespread 25% tariffs on our neighbors. Because we know saying no to Canada would mean saying yes to China.”

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Whitmer argued that “25% tariffs on everything would slow down construction, shutter small businesses, lead to layoffs in the auto industry and cost Michigan families an extra $1,200 a year at the store and the pump because companies will pass their higher costs on to the consumer.”

While the governor’s comments ignore the widespread layoffs already underway in the auto industry, despite billions from taxpayers to prop up electric vehicle production, White House Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing Peter Navarro told Fox News the economic penalties aim to change what he described as a “deadly status quo.”

“Whitmer seems to be running more for Governor of Canada in her stout defense of a deadly status quo in which over a million Americans have been slaughtered by the Chinese poison of fentanyl pouring across our northern and southern borders,” Navarro said in a statement to Fox News. “President Trump will stop that slaughter even as he will stand up for America’s auto industry, which will once again boom under the Trump tariffs.”

The day after Whitmer’s address, Trump took to Truth Social to confirm plans to impose 25% tariffs on the U.S.’s North American neighbors starting Tuesday because “drugs are sill pouring into our Country from Mexico and Canada.”

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“…The proposed TARIFFS scheduled to go into effect on MARCH FOURTH will, indeed, go into effect, as scheduled. China will likewise be charged an additional 10% Tariff on that date,” Trump wrote. “The April Second Reciprocal Tariff date will remain in full force and effect.”

Trump last month paused the proposed tariffs for 30 days as North American leaders worked to negotiate over border security and economics. Whitmer alleged last week she received 3,000 written responses from folks concerned about how the tariffs might impact prices, but did not reveal how many Michiganders expressed support.

“For them and every Michigander, let’s keep speaking with one voice for smart trade policies to level the playing field and secure American jobs without jacking up costs,” Whitmer said. “On tariffs and every issue, Michiganders expect us to work together in Lansing, because that’s how things get done.”

Whitmer’s tough talk on tariffs came the same day the Wall Street Journal published an editorial on how “Trump’s Tariffs Will Punish Michigan,” prompting strong rebukes from the 47^th POTUS, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Twp., and others.

“They are sooo WRONG, in fact, it is just the opposite,” Trump posted to Truth Social, predicting the tariffs will drive “massive amounts of auto manufacturing” to the Great Lakes State.

“They have already stopped numerous new auto plants from being built in other countries, a GIGANTIC WIN (already!),” Trump added. “FOR MICHIGAN, and the United States as a whole. Just let it all happen, and watch, it won’t be even close! AMERICAN industry will thrive, and we will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

“President Trump’s tariffs are, without question, going to revitalize our storied auto industry in Michigan,” Hall agreed in a post to X. “Michigan auto workers and I are grateful to have him in the Oval Office — an auto manufacturing renaissance is upon us!”

Mexico exports about $136 billion in vehicles and parts to auto-manufacturing states, including $53.8 billion to Michigan, while Canada exports $50.4 billion in vehicles and parts, including $22.1 billion to Michigan, according to the Journal.

“To all the people claiming Trump’s tariffs will raise the price of automobiles in the United States, have you been car shopping lately?” Brigitte Gabriel, founder and chairman of ACT For America, wrote in a post to X. “It’s already out of control. Building cars in the US is a good thing!”

Detroit Free Press columnist Batya Ungar-Sargon agreed.

“I’m sorry but the ‘experts’ are just wrong about tariffs,” Ungar-Sargon posted to X. “They aren’t inflationary. You know how I know? Because I was alive in 2019! RINOs hate them because they don’t make billionaires rich and Democrats hate them because they make Trump [look] like the populist genius he is.”