One Year After “Liberation Day,” Trump Tariffs Are Making Energy Crisis Even Worse

Lansing, MI – While Trump and his GOP backers in Congress “celebrate” a year of disastrous tariff policies, Michiganders are faced with increasingly unaffordable energy as gas and utility prices continue to skyrocket. As of February 2026, the average American family had already paid more than $1,700 in tariff costs since President Trump took office. Americans paid more than $231 billion in total tariff costs between February 2025 and January 2026.

Here are just a few ways Michiganders are paying more for energy thanks to Trump and the GOP Congress’ tariffs: 

• A report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) finds that nearly 4.2 million, or 82 percent, of Michigan electric customers will pay more for their electricity this year due to the Trump administration’s tariffs and grid fortification grant cancellations.
• In August 2025, the Trump administration announced additional steel tariffs targeting clean energy, including a 50% tariff, plus the country’s rate on non-steel content, on steel wind turbines and electrical steel used in EVs.
• The residential solar sector has been hit with a “triple-whammy” of slow market growth, IRA tax credit uncertainty, and tariffs. 

Climate Power Michigan Director  Tom Lenard issued the following statement: 

“Trump’s tariffs are making everything more expensive — especially energy — and regular Michigan folks are paying the price. It’s way past time for Michigan Republicans like Tom Barrett, Bill Huizenga, and John James to stand up for us and say enough is enough. Where are they when we need them?”

###