(The Center Square) – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive aimed at helping Michigan businesses recover refunds from tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump, while ordering new reports on the policy’s economic impacts across the state.
The directive, signed on the one-year anniversary of “Liberation Day,” follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found certain tariffs enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act unconstitutional.
“The president’s tariffs have jacked up costs, and Michiganders have been paying the price,” Whitmer said. “Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that these tariffs are illegal, it’s time for Michiganders to get their money back.”
The order directs several state agencies to submit reports within 30 days detailing how tariffs have affected Michigan industries, consumers and state operations, while also ensuring businesses are aware of how to seek refunds as the federal government finalizes that process.
Whitmer said the directive is intended both to document the economic damage and to help businesses navigate the refund process.
“This executive directive will show us the damage from these irresponsible tariffs and help get refunds back to Michigan businesses,” she said.
The directive follows the decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, after which the U.S. Court of International Trade ordered the federal government to issue refunds. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has told the court it is between 60% and 85% complete in building a streamlined claims process.
Whitmer has repeatedly criticized tariffs as a driver of higher prices and economic instability, including in her State of the State address earlier this year.
“People are nervous about the national economy, and, while your paycheck may have grown, the cost of everything else has too,” she said, adding that “many middle class families tread water, struggle to pay the bills, find good jobs and get ahead . . . Tariffs have jacked up prices.”
Whitmer also pointed to the court’s decision as a potential turning point, saying at the time, “I’m hopeful that last week’s Supreme Court decision will force Congress and the president to work out a more strategic trade policy.”
State data collected under a previous executive directive issued last July found tariffs increased the cost of raw materials, raised production expenses and limited access to foreign markets, particularly for agricultural exporters facing retaliatory tariffs.
Those findings showed steep declines in exports of key crops such as wheat, cherries, apples and soybeans, alongside rising input costs.
Housing and construction have also been affected. Officials reported higher material costs contributing to rising home prices, while transportation planners cited growing uncertainty in road project costs tied to tariffs and inflation.
Whitmer’s office said tariffs cost U.S. automakers $35 billion last year and increased costs for working families by about $1,000 annually. It also pointed to slower GDP growth and weaker job gains in 2025 compared to previous years.
Republicans, however, have disputed Whitmer’s characterization of the tariffs’ impact. As previously reported by The Center Square, they cited research from the University of Michigan suggesting the policy could boost domestic auto production and employment over time.
Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, has defended the president’s trade policy.
“When you have tariffs, you are trying to disincentivize the purchase of foreign cars and foreign components, and you’re trying to incentivize the purchase of domestic cars in Michigan and domestic manufacturing,” he said. “That’s exactly what’s happening.”
Hall said the results of tariffs are already visible.
“The tariffs are creating jobs in the Michigan automotive manufacturing industry, and so that’s a good thing,” Hall added. “The tariffs are working.”
Despite the court ruling, tariffs remain a central part of the Trump Administration’s trade strategy, with additional duties imposed after the court ruling.
Whitmer said she will continue urging federal action to end those policies, while focusing on mitigating the impact in Michigan.
“I’ll continue to call on Congress to set a strategic trade policy that keeps costs down and our economy stable,” she said. “Whether it’s making it easier to get your refund or working to lower everyday costs, we’ve got your back.”
