Michigan auto jobs drop as Canadian tourism lags

Michigan has lost approximately 4,000 auto parts manufacturing jobs in the past year due to 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, according to the state’s automotive dashboard. While importers have largely absorbed the costs rather than raising prices, the state is experiencing significant economic pressure on both ends of the trade relationship.

Tourism from Canada has also declined, with regional tourism bureaus reporting visitation rates roughly 30% below normal since 2025. Local business owners in Detroit, including vendors at Eastern Market, report that Canadian regulars have largely stopped crossing the border to spend money in the city.

In Van Buren Township, local officials approved a Google data center that will draw a gigawatt of electricity, equivalent to the usage of 750,000 homes. The township and Wayne County are forgiving an estimated $125 million in local taxes over the next 12 years, a decision that followed months of resident meetings and opposition.

Read the full story at wdet.org.