PRESS RELEASE
Jocelyn Benson: “Call These Tariffs What They Are: A John James Tax on Michigan.”
Yesterday, Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for Governor Jocelyn Benson held a virtual press conference with Former Michigan Governor and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Jim Blanchard and UAW Region 1 Director LaShawn English, where they slammed the latest round of “John James Tax” hikes. While Michiganders are already struggling to get by, they are now facing unnecessary price hikes courtesy of John James and Donald Trump.
While James was celebrating the economic chaos of Trump’s trade war on stage with JD Vance, Jocelyn called him out for backing Trump’s unaffordable tariffs on our closest ally and outlined her plan to improve trade relations with Canada, build a stable business environment to support and grow small businesses, and lower costs as the next governor of Michigan. Jocelyn will always put Michiganders first, and work with anyone to bring down costs and grow our economy.
In case you missed it…
On the airwaves:
WWJ-TV — Detroit, MI: Democratic candidate for Governor Jocelyn Benson is calling out Republican candidate John James for supporting President Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods. Benson says the President's policies have cost Michiganders nearly $6,000 over the past year. She went on to say that John James is helping keep those policies in place, even calling it the John James Tax: “He has made clear with his silence and his votes that he is willing to sacrifice our economy, our jobs, our small businesses, and thousands of people's livelihoods to stand by the president, Donald Trump. And because of that, because of his silence. He owns this.”
WILX-TV — Lansing, MI: Vance’s speech came as Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocleyn Benson took part in a virtual press conference where she criticized the Trump administration's tariffs and its supporters: “My job as governor will be to lower costs for Michiganders, pushback on these tariffs, and find ways to protect our residents and businesses from the chaos in Washington, D.C.” Benson called the tariffs a John James Tax. She says they are raising costs for Michigan families, small businesses and manufacturers. If elected, Benson promised to work directly with Canada and other great lakes' governors.
WLAJ-TV — Lansing, MI: Ahead of today's visit from Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for Governor Jocelyn Benson criticized Trump's trade war with Canada. Benson says that President Trump's tariffs on Canada are raising prices for Michigan families, while criticizing U.S. representative John James for staying silent on the tariffs: “We are in the middle of a trade war with our neighbor and our friend. And it's an unnecessary war that is costing Michigan families. It is costing small businesses. It is costing our manufacturing industry. The consequences are hitting every Michigan resident at the gas pump and in grocery stores. Since Donald Trump took office, Michigan households have been forced to pay more than any other state as a result of these reckless tariffs.”
WOOD-TV — Grand Rapids, MI: Ahead of John James and JD Vance's event today, the Democratic nominee for Governor Jocelyn Benson and U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Jim Blanchard held a press conference blasting James and President Trump's trade war with Canada. Benson said the ongoing tariffs have raised prices for Michigan families this past year. And that as governor she would work to bring money back into Michiganders pockets and stand up to policies in Washington that hurt our state. She claims that’s something her opponent, John James would not be able to do.
WUOM-AM — Detroit, MI: Democratic candidate for Governor Jocelyn Benson, criticized President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods today. She also criticized her Republican opponent, John James, for previously supporting tariffs. She calls the potential for rising prices due to tariffs quote, the John James Tax.
WZZM — Grand Rapids, MI: Critics on Monday blasting the Trump administration ahead of Vance’s visit for placing new 50% tariffs this month on a wide range of goods crossing the border from Canada…According to the federal government, the northern neighbor represented Michigan's largest export market in 2025. Democratic candidate for governor Jocelyn Benson having this to say to the Vice President should tariffs remain the same: “He can expect to see us continue to talk very clearly about how these tariffs have hurt the people of Michigan.”
In print:
Michigan Public: "He Owns This": Benson blames John James for Canadian tariff threat to Michigan jobs
[Zena Issa, 8/31/26]
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson accused her Republican opponent, Congressman John James, of putting Michigan workers and consumers at risk by having supported President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods in the past.
[...]
Benson repeatedly referred to the tariffs as the “John James tax,” arguing they could increase the cost of groceries, gas and other goods while threatening Michigan jobs.
[...]
The dispute is significant for Michigan’s auto industry because of the supply chains across the U.S.-Canada border.
English said she supports tariffs when they are targeted at companies that move jobs overseas or pay low wages.
But she said this is different.
“But that’s not what we’re seeing here. What we’re seeing is reckless,” English said. “A 50% tariff would only hurt the very domestic auto workers we should be fighting to protect."
Benson also pointed to the impact tariffs can have on construction and housing costs.
She said developers in Grand Rapids previously told her tariffs had more than doubled the cost of some building materials.
Spectrum: Benson, former Gov. Blanchard criticize Trump, John James over Canadian tariffs
[Brian Farber, 8/31/26]
Benson said Michigan households have been hit harder than any other state by the tariffs, paying an extra $5,600 since Trump took office.
"I'm going to call these tariffs what they are. They are a tax from John James, a John James tax on Michigan," Benson said. "The John James tax is a tax on our small businesses. The John James tax is a tax on our gas prices and a tax on our groceries. And while John James plays politics in Washington, D.C., Michigan families are left paying the bill."
[...]
Benson outlined her strategy as governor to work around federal chaos by negotiating direct partnerships with Canada and other international partners.
"As governor, I will go around Washington's chaos when I need to and build direct partnerships with Canada and our other international partners. I will negotiate subnational agreements to ensure that Michigan's interests are protected and met," Benson said. "I'll work with governors across the country to execute and negotiate similar agreements."
[...]
Benson criticized James for voting in favor of the tariffs and remaining silent as Michigan families struggle.
"Michiganders sent him to Washington to stand up for them. And not only has he failed to do that, when he had the opportunity to do something — even as little as just vote against these price hikes — he voted for them," Benson said. "That isn't leadership. It is cowardice, and it makes him unfit to be governor."
[Lily Guiney, 8/31/26]
Speaking on a press call after a week of renewed trade back-and-forth between Washington and Ottawa, Benson noted Michigan’s status as the state most affected by tariffs against and imposed by Canada and said if she’s elected governor, she would seek stability for Michigan industries that have been rocked by the uncertainty of the past two years.
“I think what we need right now, in a moment of chaotic tariffs that change from day to day and are nonsensical, are data-driven agreements that provide clarity and constancy for businesses as well as to protect jobs and just expectations of what leaders of Canada can expect from the leaders of Michigan,” Benson said.
[...]
Benson said her opponent, Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. John James displayed his endorsement of the Trump administration’s approach to U.S.-Canada relations both through his votes in Congress and by appearing alongside Vice President J.D. Vance in Sterling Heights on Monday.
Michiganders concerned about the ramifications of a trade war with Canada, Benson said, have only one choice come Nov. 3.
“My approach as governor is going to be simple: if Washington is creating chaos that hurts Michigan, I'm going to find every legal and practical way to work directly with our partners and protect Michigan workers, Michigan families and Michigan businesses,” she said. “And my point here today is that we know John James can't say the same, and that should make the choice in this race for governor simple for every Michigander.”
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