Thursday Dec 11, 2025

The Human Cost of Tariffs: Detroit Axle’s Fight for Survival Under Trump’s Trade Policies

Episode: #408
Hosts: Andy Shiles & Lalo Solorzano
Guest(s): Mike Musheinesh, CEO of Detroit Axle
Published: Insert date
Length: ~39 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Episode Summary

In one of our most powerful and revealing episodes of the year, Andy and Lalo sit down with Mike Musheinesh, CEO of Detroit Axle, to expose the real-world, real-human impact of the accelerated tariff changes implemented under the Trump administration.

This conversation is raw, emotional, and brutally honest.
It blends economics, politics, business strategy, and human reality into the clearest picture yet of what happens when tariff changes hit industries faster than companies can possibly adapt.

Detroit Axle — a family-built, half-billion-dollar U.S. company employing hundreds across Detroit, El Paso, and Juarez — is now facing seismic pressures from massive tariff spikes, sudden de minimis repeal, skyrocketing materials costs, slowed consumer spending, and policy decisions made with little warning.

Mike breaks down:

How tariffs jumped from $25,000 per $1M of imports… to $625,000–$725,000
Why overnight policy changes destroyed logistics models built over 30 years
Why these decisions threaten not just executives, but hundreds of families
How Detroit Axle trains returning citizens, rebuilds parts manually, and sustains U.S. jobs
Why even supportive CEOs struggle when change comes so suddenly
How the company is pivoting toward Canada and Mexico
Why Congress vs. Presidential authority may redefine U.S. trade policy
And why the Supreme Court’s ruling could make or break this company’s future

This episode is the perfect capstone to a year full of tariff discussions — tying everything together through a real, relatable, human story.

Key Learnings & Takeaways

1. Tariff volatility isn’t just policy — it’s people

Detroit Axle employs hundreds across three countries.
A sudden repeal of de minimis and massive tariff spikes have already paused a 350,000 sq ft Detroit expansion — affecting jobs, families, and local economies.

2. The cost increases are staggering

Tariffs on a million dollars of imports climbed:

From $25,000
To $625,000–$725,000
Companies cannot absorb increases of this scale without raising prices or reducing investment.

3. Abrupt policy changes destroy planning cycles

Congress initially set a 2027 timeline.
The administration moved that to 2025, leaving companies with no runway to pivot.

4. De minimis repeal hurts much more than China

Small businesses, U.S. e-commerce, border operations in El Paso/Juarez, and consumers all pay the price.

**5. Tariffs were intended to bring leverage — but reciprocity hasn’t followed**

Countries such as India and Vietnam lowered tariffs on U.S. goods…
…but the U.S. didn’t lower tariffs in return, creating tension and reducing competitiveness.

6. America’s manufacturing gap is now painfully visible

Mike explains the loss of:

Machinery
Skills
Manual trades
Technical knowledge
Replacing that ecosystem takes years, not weeks.

7. The Supreme Court case could reshape trade authority

The outcome may determine:

Whether presidential tariff power remains broad
Whether Congress must reassert authority
And whether companies like Detroit Axle get relief

Episode Resources

Detroit Axle – Learn more about Mike’s company:
Detroit Axle Website
Mike Musheinesh (LinkedIn)
Connect with Mike
Learn more about Global Training Center programs:
- Trade Compliance Courses
- Trade Strategist Training
Join the Trade Geeks Community:
Trade Geeks Portal