Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered a speech on April 9, 2025, advocating for bipartisan cooperation on economic policy before her meeting with President Donald Trump.

In her address titled 'Build, America, Build,' Whitmer emphasized the need to enhance American manufacturing and identified areas of common ground with Trump, despite criticisms from her party.

She expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs from the Trump administration on Michigan's auto industry, calling for a more strategic approach that protects local jobs.

During her speech, Whitmer highlighted Michigan's commitment to maintaining a military advantage through defense contractors and service members, underscoring the economic impact of Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

Whitmer and state leaders noted that Selfridge generates over $700 million for local communities, emphasizing its importance for both national defense and economic growth.

She outlined significant achievements in manufacturing, including tripling investments in factories and securing over $100 billion in manufacturing projects across the Midwest.

Whitmer also addressed the critical shortage of aviation technicians and proposed investments to modernize factories for aircraft manufacturing, advocating for national investment in the aviation industry.

Her address called for increased shipbuilding capacity in the U.S. to combat China's dominance, proposing the establishment of a new Office of Shipbuilding in the White House.

Unlike many Democratic governors, Whitmer has adopted a collaborative approach with Trump, emphasizing the need for bipartisanship to achieve results in a politically divided environment.

During her visit to the Oval Office, Trump unexpectedly praised Whitmer, which surprised her as she had not been informed of the meeting's subjects beforehand.

Facing pressure from progressive Democrats for stronger leadership, Whitmer has been criticized for her bipartisan stance, yet she remains committed to achieving results for Michiganders.

Following her speech, Whitmer will engage in a discussion about workplace issues, continuing her focus on economic challenges such as inflation and stagnant wages.