Whitmer calls for end to food tariffs as costs rise

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is urging the federal government to end recent tariffs on the food supply chain, citing increased costs for families and reduced agricultural exports. Since April 2025, import taxes on food supplies, fertilizer, and agricultural machinery have driven food prices up by 3% in the state.

Whitmer sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury this week, noting that Michigan pays some of the highest per-household costs due to these federal policies. She argued that a trade policy working with allies would bring supply chains home and provide relief from rising prices on essentials.

Michigan State University food economist David Ortega explained that the state's high agricultural diversity and interconnectedness with Canada make it particularly vulnerable to trade uncertainty. While Whitmer requested refunds for the extra money paid by residents, Ortega noted that determining the exact burden on individual consumers is difficult because tariffs are primarily paid by importers and exporting companies.

Read the full story at wemu.org.