Lansing, Michigan (AP) – The Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, delivered a speech emphasizing the points of agreement with the president Donald Trump On economic policy, a few hours before their planned meeting – the reflection of the high -level democrat diplomatic approach Towards the president while his party accelerates his attacks against him.
Supervised by Whitmer as “BluePrint for Success”, his long address “Build, America, Build” called for bipartite cooperation to stimulate American manufacturing. Although she offered a sweet criticism of the president, she also underlined the shared priorities.
“I understand the motivation behind the prices, and that’s where President Trump and I agree. We have to do more things in America,” said Whitmer, before adding: “I am not against prices, but they are a frank tool.”
The address, postponed last week due to violent ice storms in northern Michigan, came before his second individual meeting with Trump in less than a month, in addition to a dinner in the White House where She then sat down to him.
Wednesday’s meeting follows Trump’s announcement new prices should affect Michigan disproportionately, whose economy is closely linked to an automotive industry dependent on trade with Canada, Mexico and other countries. She added that she would also meet members of Trump’s office and planned to discuss the impact of prices.
Formerly one of Trump’s most vocal criticism during his first mandate and campaign of the campaign last year, Whitmer adopted a more measured tone towards the president since his re -election, pronouncing several speeches in which she called to find an “ground”.
“If you are not at the table, you are on the menu,” said Whitmer during a discussion after his speech. “My oath to the inhabitants of Michigan is to continue to present themselves, even when it means that I will have lunch.”
Whitmer’s approach contrasts strongly with that of other high -level Democratic governors, many of whom – like it – are considered potential contenders for the party’s presidential appointment of the party.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has remained a main voice From the opposition to the state level to Trump, strongly criticizing the new prices this week. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom directly called on international partners, urging them to save his state reprisal measures and declare: “California is not Washington, DC”
Whitmer faces a more difficult political landscape than Pritzker or Newsom, with a Legislative Assembly of Divided States And a state that opted for Trump in two of the last three elections. But even the governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro, the Democratic Governor of a State who voted for Trump in 2024, adopted a more critical approach to Trump, telling journalists on Tuesday that Trump “seeks to screw our farmers” with prices.
Whitmer’s balance was seen in his address on Wednesday and the conversation with the former presenter of Fox News, Gretchen Carlson, thereafter. She agreed with Trump on the need to build more in America, but clearly indicated that she does not agree with her approach to prices, stressing that such a change “does not occur overnight”.
“There is no shortcut here. Strategic reindustrialisation must be a bipartite project that extends over several presidential administrations,” said Whitmer in his address. “Let’s be strategic and put prices on the technology that we really want to do in America.”
Whitmer – which remains less than two years in power due to mandate limits – spent a large part of this year traveling outside Michigan during international trips and visits to Washington, DC and in other states, following a 2024 in which she spent considerable time in the campaign for her democratic colleagues.
Despite this, she reiterated Wednesday that she did not report a race for the presidency in 2028, although her speech is unlikely to calm speculation.
“This year and in the years to come – it doesn’t matter who is in the White House – bet on American workers. Remove the manufacture of fleas at home. Let’s dominate the seas and have the sky. Innovate and build,” said Whitmer at the end.
