Michigan Smart Trade Alliance webinar showcases negative impact of trade policy on agriculture, auto industry

Former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade highlights harm to Michigan industries under current trade policies

LANSING, Michigan — An international expert on trade and tariff policies highlighted the difficulties facing important Michigan industries during a recent webinar hosted by the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance (MISTA) for business leaders in the Great Lakes State.

Chris Padilla, a senior advisor at the Brunswick Group in Washington, D.C., and former Under Secretary for Commerce for International Trade under President George W. Bush, noted that tariffs on raw materials such as steel and auto parts hurts Michigan automakers, which compete for customers against imported cars with lower tariffs.

"If you read the Supreme Court decision, they remind the Congress that the authority to levy tariffs and regulate foreign commerce is with Congress exclusively under the Constitution,” Padilla said. “I think that there are many people in the trade community that would like to see Congress take some of that authority back.” 

Padilla also noted the especially difficult economic situation facing the agriculture sector, which is an important part of Michigan’s economy, as fertilizer costs have continued to climb. A recording of Padilla’s virtual presentation is available on YouTube.

MISTA’s webinar connected Padilla to members of the MISTA coalition, which includes groups representing business, manufacturing, agriculture and health care interests, to explain the impact of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down tariffs enacted under emergency powers. The webinar audience included groups from across the state, including those from Midland, Frankenmuth, Petoskey, Detroit, West Michigan, Lansing and Saginaw.

“This was a great, informative event that provided critical information to members of the growing MISTA coalition who are struggling to navigate uncertain waters under current trade policies,” said John Sellek, a spokesman for the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance. “We know businesses across Michigan are hurting and worried about the future. We appreciate the opportunity to be a resource for our members and provide insight into some of their questions.”

“This uncertain time calls for intelligent discussion about the harm caused by erratic trade policies. This was a smart, enlightening and razor-sharp look at what unpredictable, on-again off-again tariff policies are doing to our economy in the state of Michigan,” said Mark Fisk, a spokesman for MISTA. “Businesses, farmers, manufacturers and families just want to see stable, predictable trade policy so that they don’t have to worry about rising prices and job losses across the state.”