Peters Participated in Listening Session with Local Business Leaders and Workers to Hear Firsthand How Manufacturers are Navigating Shifting Tariff Policy
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) visited Walker Tool & Die in Grand Rapids to discuss the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on West Michigan manufacturers. During a listening session, Peters heard directly from manufacturers and workers in the region about how Michigan companies are navigating the current tariff policies and what policies would better foster economic success.
“President Trump’s tariffs have caused chaos and instability in our economy, and it’s critical to my job to hear directly from folks on the ground about how it is impacting their business,” said Senator Peters. “It was great to meet with local manufacturers and workers to hear their feedback and discuss how our trade policy can better support Michigan companies while creating good-paying jobs.”
Following the listening session, Peters toured the plant with Walker Tool & Die President Jeff Umlor. Walker Tool & Die produces high-precision metal stamping dies and tooling systems used to produce components of automobiles, appliances, office furniture, aerospace assets, and more.
“I appreciate Senator Peters taking time to visit Walker Tool and Die today to discuss how the changing tariff policy, low-cost country tooling, and labor shortages, among other topics, are impacting our industries,” said Jeff Umlor, President of Walker Tool and Die. “Today’s event brought together a diverse group of manufacturers from across the region to share meaningful insight on the current challenges we face, so Senator Peters can continue to effectively advocate on behalf of the business community here in our state.”
To download photos from Peters’ event at Walker Tool & Die, click here.
In April, Peters took to the Senate floor to speak out against the latest tariffs, calling them a “national sales tax” and highlighting how they fall short of a needed strategy to boost American manufacturing.
Peters, a lifelong advocate for Michigan workers and manufacturing, has also worked to support American innovation and help Michigan businesses compete in a global market. In an effort to outcompete our adversaries like China, Peters recently helped introduce the American Innovation and Jobs Act, bipartisan legislation that would expand and strengthen research and development incentives for American small businesses and startups. Peters also recently introduced the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Reauthorization Act of 2025 to support workers in Michigan and across the country who have lost their jobs due to harmful trade policies.
Peters also helped craft and pass into law the CHIPS and Science Act, which invested $170 billion in research and development for cutting-edge scientific advancements. This law also invested heavily in strengthening our domestic supply chains for critical semiconductor technologies to create good-paying American jobs and keep the U.S. competitive on the world stage. Peters additionally helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which will strengthen domestic manufacturing, onshore our supply chains, and create millions of American jobs.
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