Ahead of President Trump's Michigan Visit, Michigan Businesses Call for Consistent Trade Policy and to Preserve USMCA

New MISTA advocacy campaign elevates the voices of Michigan’s agriculture, auto manufacturing, tourism and other industries calling on Congress to provide long-term certainty by preserving USMCA and supporting a stable North American trade framework

LANSING, Mich. — On the eve of President Donald J. Trump’s visit to Michigan, the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance (MISTA) launched a new advertising campaign featuring the voices of business leaders from Michigan’s key industries, including auto manufacturing, tourism, hospitality, and agriculture, describing how uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy has made it more difficult for employers, workers and consumers across Michigan to plan, invest and compete, particularly given the state's deep economic partnership with Canada.
 
Michigan's economy depends on the success of its manufacturers, suppliers, farmers, small businesses and tourism. MISTA believes a predictable North American trade framework will help those employers continue investing and creating jobs across the state.
 
MISTA also supports efforts to strengthen American manufacturing, expand domestic investment, and create a level playing field for U.S. businesses. Michigan employers simply need consistent rules that allow them to invest, hire and compete with confidence.

** Watch MISTA’s New Spot Here **

    The 30-second ad, “Michigan Needs Consistent Trade Policy”, spotlights Michigan small businesses impacted by ongoing changes in trade policy U.S. trade and tariff policies, including the ongoing debate over preserving USMCA.
 
The ad features:

• Visit Detroit, S.E. Michigan tourism, conventions, special events
• West Michigan restaurant owner
• Mid-Michigan agriculture leader
• S.E. Michigan auto parts manufacturer

As various tariff new regimes went into effect since last year, Michigan businesses and families have been struggling with economic uncertainty and rising costs. As an agriculture leader states in the ad, “The uncertainty in the trade has hurt the farmers. Ultimately, consumers are going to pay the price at the grocery store.”
 
The new spot is running on connected televisions and on social media channels. This video advertising bolsters a recently launched billboard campaign detailing results from a recent MISTA + EPIC/MRA statewide survey. The ads began airing this weekend in key areas around the state, including Milford, the location of President Trump’s visit. 

AD TRANSCRIPT: “Michigan Needs Consistent Trade Policy”
 
Claude Molinari, President & CEO, Visit Detroit:
Since the tariffs, we've seen a thirty percent decrease in Canadian visitors. It affects tourism in Southeast Michigan.
 
 Michele Mathews, Holland Restaurant Owner 
 Tariffs had have had an impact on our business. Being a breakfast restaurant the biggest tariff for us is coffee.
 
Nate Glenn, Stockbridge Seedsman
The uncertainty in the trade has definitely hurt the farmers. Ultimately, consumers are going to pay the price at the grocery store.
 
Mary Buchzeiger, CEO of Auburn Hills Auto Supplier
I want elected officials to know that these tariffs are hurting your constituents.
 
VOICE OVER
Tell Congress we need consistent trade policy and to support USMCA
 

 ** Watch MISTA’s New Ad Here **

Additional Background
 
This new ad, MISTA’s second, pairs with its billboard campaign across key Michigan locations, showcasing MISTA polling data that indicates Michiganders overwhelmingly believe tariffs are fueling inflation. 

MISTA’s recent poll of 600 voters by EPIC-MRA found that:74% of Michigan voters said tariffs add to inflation and affordability concerns. 

• Nearly 80% of respondents said American consumers are footing the cost of tariffs on imported goods. 
• By nearly a 2-to-1 margin, respondents said they are less likely to support a candidate who supports tariffs.

"We are pleased to welcome President Trump back to Michigan," said MISTA spokesman John Sellek. "Michigan businesses appreciate the Administration's focus on strengthening American manufacturing, expanding domestic investment, and ensuring American companies can compete globally. As policymakers continue evaluating our nation's trade strategy, we hope they will continue listening to the employers, manufacturers, farmers, tourism leaders, and small businesses who live with these decisions every day.
 
“Michigan's economy is built on making things, growing things, and moving goods across North America. Preserving the certainty provided by USMCA and maintaining a stable North American trade framework will give Michigan businesses the confidence to invest, expand, hire, and create more jobs here at home. Our message is simple: Michigan businesses don't need special treatment - they need predictable rules that allow them to compete and win."
 
“Uncertainty and higher costs for business results in affordability struggles for Michigan families and seniors,” said MISTA spokesman Mark Fisk. “This ad demonstrates how Michigan small businesses don't ask for special treatment—they ask for predictability. Stable trade policy gives manufacturers the confidence to invest, farmers the confidence to plant, and small businesses the confidence to hire. It’s time for Congress to act so that certainty will ultimately benefits Michigan families."
 
Learn more about MISTA!
 
Read our new op-ed in the Detroit News: 
https://www.smarttradealliance.com/fisk-and-sellek-michigans-economic-future-depends-on-renewing-usmca
 
Learn about MISTA's public survey research:
https://www.smarttradealliance.com/epic-mra-press-release-michigan-poll-on-tariffs
 
See MISTA's Michigan new billboards:
https://www.smarttradealliance.com/new-billboards-highlight-cost-of-tariffs-on-michiganders-federal-tariffs-fuel-inflation
 
 
MISTA Coalition Membership:
 
MichAuto
Michigan Agri-Business Association
Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Detroit Regional Chamber
Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association
Michigan Retailers Association
Midland Business Alliance
Grand Rapids Chamber
Midwest Independent Retailers Association
Michigan Osteopathic Association
Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
S.E. Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce
Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber