WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after meeting with Howard Lutnick, President-elect Trump’s intended nominee to serve as Secretary of Commerce:
“The success of our economy depends on American workers. During my meeting with Mr. Lutnick, I made it clear that we must continue to support our domestic manufacturing sector while working to create good-paying jobs in communities across Michigan and the United States. I also reiterated my commitment to strengthening our Michigan automotive industry and pressed him to work alongside me to ensure the vehicles of the future are made in Michigan.
“We also discussed my concerns about the economic and national security threats posed by our adversaries. Specifically, I highlighted the need to protect Americans from Chinese-made vehicles and vehicle technologies produced by companies backed by the Chinese Communist Party, which could allow the CCP to steal Americans’ personal data, commit espionage, or even manipulate cars driving on our roadways.
“I also reiterated that we must build more resilient domestic supply chains and limit our reliance on foreign countries for critical products. I expressed the need to carry out the goals of the Chips and Science Act and support Michigan companies who are working to boost our domestic production of semiconductor chips here at home.
“Finally, we had a discussion about the impact of trade policies on Michigan’s key industries and workers. I will always focus on policies that protect Michigan workers and companies from unfair competition.
“I appreciate Mr. Lutnick’s willingness to discuss these priorities, and I look forward to learning more about his vision to lead the Department of Commerce as his confirmation process continues.”
Peters has long supported efforts to bolster domestic manufacturing and strengthen our supply chains. Peters authored a key provision of the CHIPS and Science Act to support the domestic production of mature semiconductor technologies and ensure that projects supporting critical manufacturing industries are given priority status, which would include the automotive sector. The CHIPS and Science Act also included Peters’ bipartisan Investing in Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing Act, which ensures federal incentives to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing include U.S. suppliers that produce the materials and manufacturing equipment that enable semiconductor manufacturing. This specific provision helped ensure Hemlock Semiconductor was eligible for funding from the CHIPS and Science Act, and made possible a $325 million investment for the company to build a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to expand production of hyper-pure polysilicon needed to manufacture semiconductor chips on its existing campus in Hemlock, Michigan.
Peters has also consistently worked to combat the economic and national security threats posed by our adversaries. In December 2024, he sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Congress to finalize a rule that would ban vehicles and technologies controlled by Chinese Community Party-backed (CCP) companies from being imported or sold in the United States. Peters also urged Secretary Raimondo to ensure the Commerce Department takes further action to combat threats we face from these Chinese Communist Party-backed companies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing. In May 2024, Peters applauded the Commerce Department’s decision to raise tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and other goods across numerous key sectors, including steel and aluminum imports, lithium batteries, critical minerals, solar cells, semiconductors, and medical equipment. Peters additionally sent a letter to several Chinese automakers in September 2024 pressing for more transparency into their ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
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