DETROIT, MI—At the Detroit Auto Show, Governor Gretchen Whitmer warned about threats to Michigan’s automotive industry, emphasizing the need to protect jobs and national security.

“Make no mistake, other states and nations like China are gunning for Michigan auto jobs,” Whitmer said, urging unity to defend the state's global leadership in automotive innovation.

Whitmer pointed to Europe’s struggles against Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries, which are gaining market share and threatening millions of European jobs. She stressed that Michigan must act to avoid a similar fate.

Whitmer and bipartisan leaders vowed to defend Michigan’s automotive leadership and prevent Chinese-subsidized vehicles from undermining the U.S. market. “This is a matter of national security,” Whitmer declared. Whitmer reaffirmed her commitment to defending Michigan’s auto industry, declaring, “We cannot let that happen. Not on our watch.”

As China leads global car production, Michigan faces mounting pressure to secure its economic and technological future against foreign competition.