¶ Overview
Barrett promised to protect Michigan farmers from the impact of Trump’s tariffs. Then he voted four times to protect the tariffs, including in April 2025 when he was the deciding vote to protect tariffs from being repealed by Congress, dooming Michiganders who relied on him to a trade war and rising prices. Tariffs are contributing to higher food prices and higher costs for small retailers, and are hurting Michigan farmers.
¶ Barrett Defended Trump’s Tariffs While Acknowledging They Could Harm Michigan’s Economy
¶ Barrett Repeatedly Voted to Protect Trump’s Tariffs
¶ September 2025: Barrett Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Barrett Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026. In September 2025, Barrett voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the resolution [that] would allow for the tolling (the pausing of counting) of days for resolutions of inquiry from Sept. 30, 2025 through March 31, 2026. It also would provide that each day during the period from April 9, 2025, through March 31, 2026. would not constitute a calendar day for the purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act with respect to a joint resolution to terminate President Donald Trump's April 2, 2025 executive order declaring a national emergency regarding tariffs on imported goods. The resolution also would provide that during the period for March 11, 2025 through March 31, 2026, would not constitute a calendar day for purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act with respect to a joint resolution terminating a national emergency executive order declared by President Trump on Feb. 1, 2025. Such an executive order concerned tariffs on many Canadian and Mexican imports and Chinese goods. The resolution also would provide that the provisions of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act would not apply through March 31, 2026 to a joint resolution terminating the national emergency.” The vote was on the rule. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 213 to 211. [House Vote 268, 9/16/25; Congressional Quarterly, 9/16/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 707;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
- Support Was Won From GOP Holdouts Through A Promise Of A Vote Later In The Week To Shorten The Block To End In January Rather Than March. According to Politico, “GOP leaders flipped several of the Republican holdouts with a promise to add language shortening the block on tariff disapproval votes to a forthcoming measure set for approval later in the week, per two Republicans with direct knowledge of the agreement. The expiration date on the block will be reset from March 31 to the end of January, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Tuesday. It’s likely the Supreme Court will have ruled on a challenge to Trump’s tariff-declaring powers by then.” [Politico, 9/16/25]
¶ April 2025: Barrett Cast The Deciding Vote To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Barrett Cast The Deciding Vote For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Barrett voted for, “adoption of the rule (H Res 313) that would provide for floor consideration of the Senate amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget resolution (H Con Res 14). The rule would provide up to one hour of debate on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the measure. It also would block the expedited consideration of joint resolutions terminating President Donald Trump’s tariff actions under the April 2 executive order by providing that each day during the period from April 9, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2025, will not constitute a calendar day under the federal law pertaining to terminating national emergencies.” The vote was on the rule. The underlying legislation was the FY 2025 budget resolution. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 216 to 215. [House Vote 94, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
- Speaker Johnson Backed The Move, Claiming Trump Has “Executive Authority” And That The Tariffs Are “In The Interest Of The American People.” According to ABC News, “House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended the move, telling reporters, ‘I've made it very clear I think the president has executive authority. It's an appropriate level of authority to deal with the unfair trade practices. That's part of the role of the president is to negotiate with other countries.’ Johnson said Trump told him Tuesday night that ‘there are almost 70 countries that are [in] some stage in negotiation of more fair-trade agreement agreements with the United States. I think that is in the interest of the American people. I think that is an ‘America First’ policy that will be effective, and so we have to give them the space to do it.’” [ABC News, 4/9/25]
- The Vote Was The Second Use Of The Procedural Tactic To Block Votes On The Tariffs, The First Use Of It Being In March. According to ABC News, “House Democrats, led by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., moved to force a vote on Tuesday on terminating the national emergency authority and blocking Trump's sweeping tariffs. Now, that vote is unlikely to occur. This is the second time Johnson has moved to stop the legislative calendar to prevent votes on Trump's authority on tariffs. Under House rules, these votes would typically come up within 15 calendar days but now will not if the ‘rule’ passes during the vote series Wednesday afternoon.” [ABC News, 4/9/25]
¶ If One “Aye” Vote Had Switched To A “No” On House Vote 94 The Measure Would Have Failed Instead Of Passing
The Measure Considered In House Vote 94 Passed By A Vote Of 216 “Ayes” To 215 “Nos,” Which Meant If One Aye Vote Had Switched To A No Vote The Measure Would Have Failed.
[House Vote 94, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
¶ April 2025: Barrett Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Barrett Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Barrett voted for, “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 313) that would providing for floor consideration of the Senate amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget resolution (H Con Res 14). The rule would provide up to one hour of debate on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the measure. It also would block the expedited consideration of joint resolutions terminating President Donald Trump’s tariff actions under the April 2 executive order by providing that each day during the period from April 9, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2025, will not constitute a calendar day under the federal law pertaining to terminating national emergencies.” The vote was on the previous question. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 217 to 212. [House Vote 93, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313]
¶ March 2025: Barrett Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Barrett Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs. In March 2025, Barrett voted for, “the bill that would provide for Congressional disapproval of, and nullify, a December 2024 IRS rule related to gross proceeds reporting by brokers involved in digital asset sales. The rule imposed reporting requirements, beginning in 2027, on non-custodial barkers who participate in the decentralized digital asset market. It also required brokers to file information returns and provide payee statements reporting gross proceeds from certain digital asset sales and transactions.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 292 to 132. [House Vote 71, 3/11/25; Congressional Quarterly, 3/11/25; Congressional Actions, H.J. Res. 25]
- The Bill Effectively Blocked The House From Voting To Reverse Trump’s Tariffs On Mexico, Canada, And China For The Next Year. According to the New York Times, “Republican leaders on Tuesday slipped language into a procedural measure that would prevent any resolution to end the tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China from receiving a vote this year. It passed on party lines as part of a resolution that cleared the way for a vote later Tuesday on a government spending bill needed to prevent a shutdown at the end of the week.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
- The Bill Nullified A Law That Would Allow The House And Senate To End A Disaster Declared By The President. According to the New York Times, “In this case, Republican leaders did so using a particularly unusual contortion: They essentially declared the rest of the year one long day, nullifying a law that allows the House and Senate to jointly put an end to a disaster declared by the president.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
- The National Emergencies Act Required Consideration Of Resolutions Ending A Presidentially Declared Emergency Within Fifteen Calendar Days But Republican Leadership Included A Measure In The Bill Declaring The Rest Of The Year Did Not Constitute A Calendar Day. According to the New York Times, “The national emergency law lays out a fast-track process for Congress to consider a resolution ending a presidential emergency, requiring committee consideration within 15 calendar days after one is introduced and a floor vote within three days after that. But the language House Republicans inserted in their measure on Tuesday declared that, ‘Each day for the remainder of the 119th Congress shall not constitute a calendar day’ for the purposes of the emergency that Mr. Trump declared on Feb. 1.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
¶ Barrett Claimed Fear About Trump’s Economic Policies Were Irrational
Barrett Claimed Fear About Trump’s Economic Policies Was Irrational. According to the Lansing City Pulse, "I asked next about a comment by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the Alaska Republican who said two weeks ago that ‘we are all afraid’ of retaliation by Trump. I referenced other sources of fear, including the stock market’s rapid fluctuations and student protesters I had spoken to who were unwilling to provide a name. Had he seen that fear, and what could the government do to mitigate it? This was the first question Barrett did not fully answer. Rather than suggest a way out of this fear, he argued that it was irrational. ‘We shouldn’t be reckless’ with the stock market, because it is ‘a lot of times emotionally driven’ and not a perfect economic indicator, he said.” [Lansing City Pulse, 4/30/25]
Barrett Dismissed Concerns Over Stock Market Drops Due To Trump’s Tariffs And Claimed “The Market Isn’t The Entire American Economy.” According to the Lansing State Journal, "[Barrett] said tariffs are ‘a tool we can use to get there, but of course it can't be done recklessly.’ He said officials have to make sure the policies aren't causing economic hardship beyond the short- and mid-term. ‘A handful of days is not indicative of a broader market,’ he said about recent stock market drops. ‘The market isn't the entire American economy, and it's not reflective of the entire economy as a whole.’" [Lansing State Journal, 4/7/25]
- HEADLINE: "Extreme Volatility Sends US Stocks On A Roller Coaster Ride As Wall Street Is Rattled By Tariffs" [CNN, 4/7/25]
- 2022: 58-Percent Of U.S. Households Held Stock Directly Or Through Retirement Savings Accounts. According to the Detroit Free Press, "More people than one might imagine have money riding on stocks. A record 58% of U.S. households owned stock directly or through retirement savings accounts, such as 401(k) plans, in 2022, according to the latest Survey of Consumer Finances issued by the Federal Reserve. That's up from 53% in the Fed's 2019 survey." [Detroit Free Press, 4/7/25]
¶ Barrett Tried To Have It Both Ways on President Trump’s Tariffs
HEADLINE: "Barrett Tells Telephone Town Hall He’s ‘Not Ready To Give Up’ On Trump Tariffs" [Michigan Advance, 4/8/25]
Barrett Defended Trump’s Tariffs And Claimed It Would Be Helpful To The Auto Industry. According to the Lansing State Journal, "He defended Trump's tariffs, noting the U.S., and Michigan in particular, has a trade imbalance. He noted that he had spoken to General Motors CEO Mary Barra recently and she had complained about how American cars could not be sold in other countries due to trade policies. ‘This trade imbalance is especially harmful for the auto industry in Michigan,’ Barrett said. He said tariffs are ‘a tool we can use to get there, but of course it can't be done recklessly.’ He said officials have to make sure the policies aren't causing economic hardship beyond the short- and mid-term." [Lansing State Journal, 4/7/25]
¶ Barrett Defended The Use Of Tariffs As A Negotiating Tactic
3/3/25: Barrett Claimed Tariffs Were A Negotiating Tool He Did Not Want To “Undercut” But Claimed He Was “Mindful Of The Economic Impact That They Have On A Trading Partner Like Canada, And The Effect They Have In Michigan.” According to the Detroit News, "Even some of Trump's supporters in Michigan, like freshman U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, urged caution as the tariff deadline looms. The Charlotte Republican acknowledged Monday that Canada is a ‘huge’ trading partner for Michigan and vice versa. ‘We really understand that,’ he said. ‘We have a lot of mutual interest in trade that goes back and forth between our two countries, and we want to be mindful of the impact that would have. President Trump negotiated an extension to this before it went into effect last time. I’m hoping we can reach a resolution going forward as well.’ ‘Tariffs are often using as a negotiating tool for an outcome we’re trying to achieve, so I don’t want to undercut the appropriate use of tariffs, or how they can be used to achieve a longer-term objective,’ Barrett added. ‘But we also have to be mindful of the economic impact that they have on a trading partner like Canada, and the effect they have in Michigan is really important to bear in mind.’" [Detroit News, 3/3/25]
Barrett Defended President Trump’s Use Of Tariffs As A Negotiating Tactic While Acknowledging The Harm They Could Have On Michigan’s Economy. According to a tele-town hall hosted by Rep. Tom Barrett, “BARRETT: First of those are trade and tariffs. I know that that's a big issue with many who are in the business community and concerns about what that's going to look like between our trade with Mexico and Canada. As you know, Michigan relies heavily on trade between Canada and Mexico and back. We’re Canada's largest trading partner here in Michigan. So much of our commerce goes back and forth across our border crossings with Canada. Since returning to office, President Trump has made it clear that fixing our trade imbalance and securing our border and reducing the threat from fentanyl are big priorities. As part of this effort. He has used tariffs as a negotiating tool, and in many cases that has been successful and we've seen some of the outcomes of that in regards to greater border enhanced security. I've heard from many in the auto industry and President Trump has exempted auto parts from tariffs and other auto related trade that goes back and forth across the border. I'm going to continue to monitor this situation and see as that develops.” [Rep. Tom Barrett Tele-Town Hall, 3/10/25] (audio)
Barrett Claimed The United States’ Biggest Trading Partner Was Itself. According to a tele-town hall hosted by Rep. Tom Barret, "BARRETT: I mean, trade at the end of the day is something that provides mutual benefit to both parties, and that's done in an inequitable way. It is done at the advantage of Americans. And at the end of the day, I will say this, our biggest trade partners are ourselves. The United States consumer market is bigger than any other market in the entire country. We are our largest trade partners already and we have to make sure that we are doing this in the most advantageous way possible. So there's a lot that goes into that. I am very much paying close attention to it and I'm going to continue to be carefully watching along the way as well." [Rep. Tom Barrett Tele-Town Hall, 4/7/25] (audio)
¶ Barrett Promised To Protect Auto Manufacturers That Were Compliant With USMC From Tariffs
Barrett: “I'll Continue To Advocate For Vehicles Rolling Off The Assembly Line In The United States That Are Compliant With USMC To Be Exempted From Tariffs And Will Monitor Their Implementation To Ensure That They're Utilized In A Thoughtful And Strategic Manner That Minimizes The Short Term Impact And Maximizes Long Term Gain.” According to a tele-town hall hosted by Rep. Tom Barret, “BARRETT: Still a lot more work to be done, which is ongoing, which is why I'm going to do everything I can to make sure these jobs are coming back to Michigan and our economy remains strong. I'll continue to advocate for vehicles rolling off the assembly line in the United States that are compliant with USMC to be exempted from tariffs and will monitor their implementation to ensure that they're utilized in a thoughtful and strategic manner that minimizes the short term impact and maximizes long term gain.” [Rep. Tom Barrett Tele-Town Hall, 4/7/25] (audio)
¶ Barrett Claimed He Would Protect Michigan Farmers From The Impact Of Trump’s Tariffs
Barrett Said Tariffs Were “Very, Very Tricky” For Farmers And Claimed He Was “More Than Happy To Make Sure The Effect Of That Is Blunted As Much As Possible.” According to the Lansing State Journal, "A farmer from Charlotte said he was worried about the impact tariffs might have on crop farmers. ‘I'm not tone-deaf to the issues our farmers are facing,’ Barrett said, noting he was working closely with Michigan Farm Bureau staff. ‘These tariff and trade negotiations can get very, very tricky as it relates to our agricultural products,’ he said. ‘We'd be more than happy to make sure the effect of that is blunted as much as possible on the farmers.’" [Lansing State Journal, 4/7/25]
- Barrett Claimed Tariffs Were “Very, Very Tricky” For Farmers And He Wanted To “Make Sure That The Effect Of That Is Blunted As Much As Possible." According to a tele-town hall hosted by Rep. Tom Barret, "BARRETT: Michigan is the second most diverse state for agriculture in the entire country, for the types of crops that we grow in our state. And that's something to be very proud of. I'm certainly proud of it. I want to do everything I can to make sure that we have stability in our markets. I know these tariffs and trade negotiations can get very, very tricky as it relates to our agricultural products and certainly as you have thoughts about the impact that that's going to have, we'd be more than happy to work with you on how we can make sure that the effect of that is blunted as much as possible." [Rep. Tom Barrett Tele-Town Hall, 4/7/25] (audio)
¶ Michigan Small Businesses, Farmers, and Automakers Sounded the Alarm About Trump’s Tariffs
HEADLINE: "Trade War, Drought Squeeze Michigan Farmers Heading To Fall Harvest" [Bridge Michigan, 9/18/25]
HEADLINE: "Tariffs Hit Small Michigan Retailers Hard, Prompting Panic Buying, Cost Cutting" [Detroit Free Press, 5/23/25]
HEADLINE: "Tariffs Weigh Heavy On Detroit Chamber’s State Of The Region As Trump Pledges Additional Levies" [Michigan Advance, 4/1/25]
Detroit Regional Chamber And MichAuto Said Trump’s Proposed Tariffs On Imported Vehicles Would Lead To Dramatic Prices Increases And Supply-Chain Disruptions. According to Reuters, "Two Michigan business groups urged President Donald Trump to halt plans to impose sweeping 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and parts, saying it would lead to dramatic price hikes, supply-chain disruptions and pain in the auto-heavy state. ‘The increased costs would cause significant disruption throughout the supply chain and, perhaps most importantly, lead to significant price increases to the cost to American consumers for vehicles,’ the Detroit Regional Chamber and MichAuto, an automotive and mobility association, said in a letter." [Reuters, 3/31/25]
Ball State University Economist Said Michigan Would Feel The Effects Of Trump’s Tariffs First. According to Michigan Public Radio, "Michigan and other Midwest states will feel the pain of what’s now a trade war before the rest of the country, according to Ball State University economist Michael Hicks. President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an order to impose stiff tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China, drawing swift retaliation from the country's North American neighbors in the emerging trade war. […] ‘The pain of this is going to be rather broad,’ but the first to feel the effects will be in states like Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, said Hicks, who directs Ball State's Center for Business and Economic Research. ‘After the 2018 tariffs [imposed by Trump], it took six to nine months for the Midwest to slip into a manufacturing recession,’ Hicks said. ‘So by middle of 2019, Indiana, Michigan, most of the Midwest was already bleeding manufacturing jobs.’" [Michigan Public Radio, 2/1/25]
- Ball State University Economist Said It Took Six Months For The Midwest To Slip Into A Manufacturing Recession Following The 2018 Tariffs Imposed By Trump. According to Michigan Public Radio, "Michigan and other Midwest states will feel the pain of what’s now a trade war before the rest of the country, according to Ball State University economist Michael Hicks. President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an order to impose stiff tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China, drawing swift retaliation from the country's North American neighbors in the emerging trade war. […] ‘The pain of this is going to be rather broad,’ but the first to feel the effects will be in states like Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, said Hicks, who directs Ball State's Center for Business and Economic Research. ‘After the 2018 tariffs [imposed by Trump], it took six to nine months for the Midwest to slip into a manufacturing recession,’ Hicks said. ‘So by middle of 2019, Indiana, Michigan, most of the Midwest was already bleeding manufacturing jobs.’" [Michigan Public Radio, 2/1/25]
- HEADLINE: "Trump Tariffs Spark ‘Trade War’ With Michigan’s Biggest Trade Partners" [Bridge Michigan, 3/4/25]