Nelson Vandermeer, a lifelong Republican voter from Zeeland, Michigan, lost his job last year as a product designer at Howard Miller, a clockmaker that relied on imported parts. The company closed its factory, laid off nearly 200 workers, and sold its brand after a century in business. Vandermeer attributes the closure partly to tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump’s administration, which he says disrupted supply chains and raised costs. He plans to vote for Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections.
Tariffs were a central component of Trump’s economic strategy, intended to revitalize U.S. manufacturing by imposing higher taxes on imports. However, despite some gains in manufacturing output and specific trades, the sector’s overall employment remains below levels from when Trump returned to office in January 2025. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers emphasized an ongoing “factory boom,” citing increases in manufacturing production and construction jobs that could lead to more factory employment in the future.
In Michigan’s 4th Congressional District, represented by Republican Bill Huizenga, the tariffs have sparked debate. Huizenga initially supported the measures as necessary for boosting domestic manufacturing but acknowledges their broader economic consequences. His Democratic challenger, state Sen. Sean McCann, criticizes Huizenga for opposing legislation aimed at limiting these tariffs. Similar tensions are evident in other battleground states such as Kansas, Iowa, and Ohio, where voters contend with factory closures, farm foreclosures, and rising costs.
Tracy Chew of Iowa, who switched her vote from Trump in 2016 to Democrats in subsequent elections, lost her job at Case, a backhoe manufacturer that shuttered its plant before tariffs took effect. Her family members also faced layoffs. Chew expresses frustration that the tariffs do not target the appropriate companies or amounts, fueling her leaning toward Democratic candidates. In Iowa, employers like Winnebago Industries have cut hundreds of jobs following increased import costs for key materials and components.
In Kansas, appliance maker Vornado Air laid off more than 70 workers, attributing the decision to higher prices on imported parts. The state’s aerospace sector also faces uncertainty after Trump threatened to block sales by Canadian jet manufacturer Bombardier unless production shifts entirely to the U.S. Bombardier, which employs over 1,000 people in Kansas, sources parts from thousands of suppliers across nearly every state.
Economic experts widely question the effectiveness of broad tariffs as a trade policy, and public opinion has turned increasingly against Trump’s approach. A recent poll found less than one-third of Americans approve of his handling of trade negotiations, down from 40% in March. The Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s emergency declaration used to justify some tariffs, adding legal uncertainty to ongoing trade disputes.
While tariffs are not the sole reason for manufacturing job losses—which have been occurring for decades regardless of policy—their impact has divided opinions. Some Republicans continue to support the party line despite concerns about tariff-related disruptions. Koby Bird, a retired quality control worker at Bicycle Corp. of America, said tariffs make planning difficult but intends to vote Republican, citing broader ideological considerations.
Union leaders and workers in Pennsylvania report mixed sentiments. Wendell Young, president of Local 1776 of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, notes a decline in pro-Trump support among members affected by layoffs linked to tariff-driven cost pressures. Companies like Post Holdings and Trivium Packaging have reduced staff amid declining production orders, contributing to local economic challenges.
As the midterm elections approach, the ramifications of Trump’s tariff policies continue to influence voter attitudes, particularly in competitive districts where manufacturing job losses and economic strain remain pressing concerns.