This week, I’ve had the opportunity to talk trade with workers, business owners and community leaders from across the state in roundtable discussions in Southfield, Grand Rapids and Lansing. I was honored to participate in a similar discussion in Warren back in April with Senator Carl Levin and Congressman Sandy Levin, and I will travel to Saginaw on Saturday to meet with workers there.

I’ve been deeply touched by the stories businesses shared of their struggles to compete in a global economy, stories like that of Mark Schmidt President of Atlas Tool, located in Roseville. Mark expressed concerns over the challenges of keeping the cost of his products low for customers, adding that he has felt tremendous pressure to relocate his facility overseas.  And stories like Dan and Brenda Bissell of Greenville.  Dan and Brenda both worked at Electrolux for more than 20 years before the company chose to relocate to Mexico where labor is cheap.  Dan and Brenda fought hard, with the rest of the Greenville community and our administration to keep Electrolux here in Michigan, but in the end, the millions of dollars in employee concessions and tax abatements we offered couldn’t compete on the unfair playing field we are forced to live with.

International trade can be a complicated and messy issue – an issue that even the most ardent political observer can find boring and confusing. While it is very easy to get lost in the fancy jargon and huge numbers, I was reminded this week that our nation’s trade policies affect REAL people and more importantly REAL families. The auto manufacturing industry feels the impact more directly than most, which means Michigan families are being hurt.

I walked away from the conversations with an even stronger resolve to fight for fair trade policies for our workers. I will continue to demand that the Bush administration stand up against the unfair practices of our trading partners that keep American—Michigan—products from reaching their customers.

I am certain that Michigan manufacturers and automakers can compete with anyone on the globe, but they need a level playing field. Instead, they’re being asked to play with one arm tied behind their back. I will continue to keep up the fight…