DETROIT ~ Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox on Monday accused fellow Republican candidate and U.S. Rep. John James of profiting from imports from China through a family-affiliated logistics business, arguing that the business activity conflicts with James’ public positions on reshoring manufacturing jobs to the United States.
“John James has built a political brand around bringing jobs back to America, but the records we’ve presented today show his business profited from imports from China while he was serving in Congress,” Cox said. “Michigan voters deserve to know that.” Cox argued that the business activity described by his campaign conflicts with James’ public calls to reshore manufacturing jobs and reduce reliance on China.
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July 7, 2026 ~ Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox criticized Rep. John James’ business ties to imports from China and outlined his manufacturing agenda during a media event outside James Group International in Detroit. The event includes remarks from Cox campaign officials, auto industry workers, and a question-and-answer session with reporters.
CONTINUED: During the conference, which was held outside the headquarters of James Group International in Detroit, Cox campaign officials presented import data they said showed Renaissance Global Logistics handled at least 921 shipments from China during James’ tenure in Congress. Campaign representatives said the figure was derived from import-tracking records and was intended to highlight what they described as a disconnect between James’ business interests and his political messaging.
A request for comment from the James campaign was not immediately responded to. Similar criticisms of James’ business interests have surfaced during previous campaigns. Supporters have argued that Renaissance Global Logistics functions as a logistics company that moves products through the supply chain and does not control manufacturers’ decisions about where parts are produced or sourced.
