Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday signed an executive directive that instructs state agencies to assess the impact of tariffs on Michigan industries and consumers and to aid businesses in seeking refunds from the federal government.

The order was signed on the one-year anniversary of Liberation Day, when President Donald Trump imposed wide-ranging tariffs on a variety of countries. The U.S. Supreme Court later ruled the tariffs were unconstitutional.

“Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that these tariffs are illegal, it’s time for Michiganders to get their money back," Whitmer wrote in a statement Thursday. "This executive directive will show us the damage from these irresponsible tariffs and help get refunds back to Michigan businesses."

The Trump administration has set aside $166 billion in tariff revenues, but has "yet to establish a process for returning those funds," Whitmer said in her directive.

"Any process must be accessible to all importers who have paid tariffs, including small businesses and individuals who may not have access to expensive counsel to access refunds they are owed," the directive said.

On April 2, 2025, Trump signed an executive order that imposed a baseline tariff of 10% and even higher rates on "worst-offender" countries that exported more to the United States than they imported.

Ten months later, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Liberation Day import taxes imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, ruling the president overstepped his authority. He has since instituted a 10% duty on nearly all imported merchandise under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which can remain in place for 150 days until July 24 unless extended by Congress.

Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, when asked for a response to Whitmer's order Thursday, touted Trump's tariffs as having secured new investments in the U.S., including in auto manufacturing, and resulting in 20 trade deals that treated the U.S. more fairly. He did not address Whitmer's order directly.

"Michigan's auto sector is stronger with President Trump putting America first," said Hall, a Republican from Kalamazoo County. "These are smart trade policies that deliver results for Michigan workers and families."

A previous executive directive by Whitmer in July asked state departments on tariff impacts on Michigan's economy and resulted in a report, the governor said, that showed an increase in raw materials and productive costs. Some businesses absorbed the costs while others passed them on to consumers.

The new executive directive signed Tuesday gives four state departments 30 days to submit a report "illustrating the way that the use of tariffs has impacted Michigan industries and consumers" as well as raised costs for the state, households and businesses.

The departments tasked with doing so include the departments of Agriculture and Rural Development; Labor and Economic Opportunity; Transportation, and Treasury.

Other agencies, including the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, should review data they have on hand "that might shed light on the impact of new tariffs on the questions above and, if so, submit to me a report explaining that impact," Whitmer's directive said.

The directive instructs the departments of Labor and Economic Opportunity and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to be prepared to aid businesses and employers seeking refunds "as the federal government makes clear its process for receiving refunds."

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