A resolution to reaffirm our commitment to supporting Michigan’s economy by advocating for strong, fair, negotiated commercial relationships with North American trading partners.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 36 co-sponsors

Michigan House non-binding resolution urges federal leaders to safeguard Michigan jobs by preserving strong, negotiated trade with Canada and Mexico.

referred to Committee on Government Operations

Summary — HR 34: Reaffirming support for Michigan’s North American trade relationships

Status
- Title: A resolution to reaffirm our commitment to supporting Michigan’s economy by advocating for strong, fair, negotiated commercial relationships with North American trading partners.
- Classification: House Resolution (non‑binding)
- Introduced: August 18, 2025
- Current status: Referred to the Committee on Government Operations
- Companion/related measure: HCR 39

Purpose and intent
- The resolution expresses the Michigan House of Representatives’ support for maintaining and strengthening negotiated commercial relationships with Canada and Mexico.
- It urges the federal government to carefully weigh the economic consequences for Michigan of imposing tariffs or other trade measures on those North American partners, while also endorsing the federal government’s pursuit of foreign‑policy goals that benefit U.S. citizens.

Key provisions
- Finds and recites the economic importance of Canada and Mexico to Michigan, citing:
- Canada as Michigan’s #1 export market and Mexico as #2 for agricultural products.
- Nearly $55 billion in annual goods movement between Michigan and Ontario.
- Michigan’s significant agricultural exports (about $3 billion annually) and its large manufacturing and auto sectors that rely on integrated North American supply chains.
- Anticipated infrastructure benefits (e.g., Gordie Howe International Bridge) that enhance trade capacity.
- Resolves that the Michigan House:
- Urges the federal government to consider Michigan’s economic interests and the potential adverse impacts of tariffs or retaliatory trade measures on jobs, exports, and supply chains.
- States support for federal efforts to achieve foreign‑policy outcomes that benefit the American people.
- Reaffirms the State’s commitment to advocating “strong, fair, negotiated” commercial ties with Canada and Mexico.
- Directs that copies of the resolution be sent to key federal officials: the President, U.S. Trade Representative, Secretaries of Agriculture and Commerce, and Michigan’s congressional delegation.

Who would be affected
- The resolution itself is symbolic and non‑binding, so it does not change law or create regulatory obligations.
- Its primary targets are federal policymakers and trade negotiators; it is intended to influence federal trade decision‑making.
- Substantively, it speaks to interests of Michigan businesses, workers, and communities in agriculture, automotive and advanced manufacturing, logistics, and cross‑border trade that could be harmed by tariffs or disrupted supply chains.

Practical effect and next steps
- As a resolution, HR 34 serves as an official statement of the Michigan House’s policy preference and a tool to pressure or inform federal actors; it does not mandate state or federal action.
- Procedurally, the resolution awaits consideration in the Committee on Government Operations; if approved there, it could be adopted by the full House and formally transmitted to the named federal officials and Michigan’s congressional delegation.