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Michigan, the cornerstone of America's automotive industry, has become a key battleground in the 2024 presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have frequently visited the state, vying for its pivotal 16 electoral votes. Since 2008, every presidential candidate who has won Michigan has also secured the White House, emphasizing the state's crucial role in national elections.

Auto executives and lobbyists are preparing for the potential outcomes of the election, particularly concerning issues like electric vehicles, trade policies, tariffs, emissions regulations, and labor laws. While major players in the industry have avoided publicly endorsing either candidate, many have privately shared their strategies for navigating a likely divided Congress with a split presidency.

Officials anticipate that a Harris victory would resemble the past four years under President Joe Biden, albeit with differences. While Harris is seen as potentially more business-friendly, concerns linger regarding some of her policies and appointments, particularly given her alignment with union leaders such as United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain. Conversely, a Trump reelection would likely signal a return to his first-term policies, which could include rolling back federal emissions standards and altering the Inflation Reduction Act's support for electric vehicles.

Electric vehicles, and the policies supporting them, remain a significant focus. The industry could see major shifts in incentives and regulations depending on the election's outcome. Volkswagen Group of America's CEO Pablo Di Si expressed the industry's current limbo, emphasizing the uncertainty in future investments worldwide.

The North American trade deal, updated under Trump in 2020 as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, is also under scrutiny. Both Trump and Harris have signaled a need for further revision to bolster American automotive production. GM's CEO Mary Barra highlighted the critical attention being paid to the election, especially concerning trade and tariff changes.

Labor relations continue to be a contentious topic, with fears that a Harris administration could further empower organized labor. The United Auto Workers, influential in Harris’s campaign, have been a significant force in Michigan, a state with a rich history of union activism. Trump, on the other hand, has faced ongoing criticism from UAW President Shawn Fain, emphasizing the deep-seated divisions within the industry.

As the election approaches, the automotive sector remains at the heart of a national debate, with both candidates offering distinct opportunities and challenges. The industry's trajectory will depend heavily on the electoral outcome, impacting everything from emissions standards to international trade agreements.