Michigan Senate hopeful Mike Rogers faces pressure over Trump's trade war

Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers faced pressure over U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war with Canada during a heated debate that could sway voters in a consequential midterm race where neither candidate ruled out future duties.

Trump's trade war a ballot issue in close race between Rogers and Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed

The Canadian Press

· Posted: Oct 08, 2026 9:30 PM EDT | Last Updated: 13 minutes ago

Listen to this article

Estimated 4 minutes

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers faced pressure over U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war with Canada during a heated debate Thursday that could sway voters in a consequential midterm race in which neither candidate ruled out future tariffs.

Trump's escalating tariffs on Canada came up within the first 10 minutes of the debate. Rogers was asked about an advertisement released Wednesday in which he said "Canada is not our enemy," and how he squares that position with longstanding support for the tariffs.

"I would like to see the deal made," Rogers responded. "I have actually called the White House this week, talked to the secretary of Commerce, about getting the deal done."

Rogers said Canada imposes tariffs on U.S. goods, without providing details about the levies or addressing the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which was negotiated during the first Trump administration.

• Trump administration faces 2 lawsuits for taxpayer-funded ads as midterms draw near

• 'Canada is not our enemy': Michigan Republican Senate candidate breaks with Trump on trade war

But the Republican candidate said the U.S. tariffs on Canada are now too high and those should be eliminated.

"This is about getting to the best deal possible. I'd like to it end. I think we need to end it," Rogers said before taking jabs at his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, claiming El-Sayed's policies would raise prices.

The trade war with Canada has become a campaign issue in the close race between Rogers and El-Sayed ahead of the November midterm elections.

Escalating trade war

Trump rapidly escalated his trade war and rhetoric against Canada after negotiations fell apart in August.

WATCH | Reporter asks Trump about Rogers:

Trump reacts to anti-trade war ad from Republican candidate

October 7|

Duration

0:45

U.S. President Donald Trump was asked by a reporter about a new ad from Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers that called for an end to the trade war with Canada. Trump said he 'viewed it as though [Rogers] wanted Canada to make a deal' and repeated his claim that Canada has been taking advantage of the U.S. for 'many, many years.'

Trump signed an order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America, and the United States imposed 50 per cent tariffs on an array of Canadian goods. A few weeks later, Ottawa responded with retaliatory duties.

Last week, a U.S. import ban on some Canadian liquor, whey products and motorcycles officially took effect.

Rogers had also previously inserted himself into the dispute over the controversial delay of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit, claiming "Amer­ica will get a better fin­an­cial deal and that there will be no Chinese cars pour­ing over that bridge."

Polling has shown that a majority of Michigan voters disapprove of Trump's tariffs and his targeting of Canada. Michigan's economy is deeply integrated with Canada's, particularly in the auto industry.

That has put Rogers in a difficult position. He is among a growing number of Republicans distancing their campaigns from some of the president's policies.

Clashes over Iran war, cost of fuel

Thursday's fiery debate also featured clashes over the Iran war, cost of gas and diesel and properties owned by the candidates. Rogers argued El-Sayed's policies would be costly, while the Democrat sought to tie Rogers to Trump's controversial policies, as well as properties outside Michigan and campaign donations.

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democrats' nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan in 2026, is seen participating in a televised debate against Rogers (unseen in the image above) in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Thursday. (Paul Sancya/The Associated Press)

Democrats would need a net gain of four seats to win a Senate majority, making the Michigan race particularly consequential.

But El-Sayed's response on tariffs is unlikely to reassure Canadians shaken by Trump's trade polices. He was asked about a statement on his website supporting tariffs as long as they are targeted.

While El-Sayed said the tariffs on Canada are costing Michiganders thousands of dollars, he said he supports duties as part of an "industrial policy that makes sense."

"We use tariffs to protect our own market," El-Sayed said.

"This is, like everything, ham-fisted, chaotic, self-serving, that Donald Trump does."