Indiana Governor Mike Braun briefly acknowledged the coming layoffs of more than 500 people from the RV industry, most of those in northern Indiana, as he spoke, last week, at the RV Power Breakfast, an annual event where RV industry leaders gather to discuss issues related to the manufacture and sale of RVs.

“You’ve been through it before. We’re gonna get through it on the national scene,” he said. “We have to do it now. It only gets harder later.”

Braun was speaking not only of the layoffs, which are a fraction, compared to previous industry layoffs during the economic crisis of 2008/9, but also about national economic issues which have arisen because of the the tariffs and their possible implications.

The layoffs are with companies owned by THOR, which is based in Sturgis, Michigan, and include the at least temporary elimination of jobs in Howe, Elkhart and Middlebury, at several plants. They are expected to go into effect June 20.

“We’ll get through it, quickly on tariffs. We’ll be okay. We’re resilient. I know a lot of the industry has got some of their supply chain there,” said the governor, speaking of China, Indiana, Japan and other Asian countries.

“My prediction is the first bilateral arrangement with either Indiana, Japan or South Korea, it’ll cascade. The market’s already anticipating it. It’ll be a wrestling match with China,” said Braun.

Braun also had a ceremonial signing of SEA 484, which is a bill aimed specifically at the RV industry, to strengthen the relationship between RV manufacturers and dealers. While the language may seem vague to people who are not in the industry, one of the provisions eliminates handshake deals, requiring written agreements.

“The law created regulatory clarity that an industry as important as yours deserves. It will guarantee fair treatment for manufacturers and dealers,” he said.