Republican Senate candidate breaks with Trump over trade war with Canada

Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has broken ranks with U.S. President Donald Trump by saying the trade war with Canada needs to end.

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In a 30-second campaign ad shared on social media on Wednesday, Rogers said: “Here in Michigan, we know that Canada is not our enemy. We need to end this tariff war now. As Michigan senator, I’ll bring both parties together to lower your prices.”

He also made a reference to Canadian brewing company Labatt, saying: “Drinking a Labatt and watching the Red Wings, man, it just doesn’t get any more Michigan than that.”

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Though the former congressman doesn’t mention Trump by name, the ad is a clear reference to the 50 per cent tariffs Trump imposed on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods in August, as well as the retaliatory tariffs Canada imposed on U.S. products the following month.

Prices are too high and Canada is not our enemy. We need to end the tariff war — now.

In the Senate, I’ll bring both parties together to lower costs and put Michigan families first. pic.twitter.com/D5DLkBBdpn

— Mike Rogers (@MikeRogersForMI) October 7, 2026

And it’s not the first time Rogers has publicly disagreed with Trump on key issues in recent weeks. Last month, he said the war in Iran needs to “end quickly” in another campaign video focused on bringing down energy costs.

In August, he cautioned that tariffs are “necessary, but are not a one-size-fits-all solution” in a press release as part of his campaign.

Trump was asked about Rogers’ latest campaign video during a press conference in the Oval Office on Wednesday. “I viewed him as saying that he thinks Canada should make a deal,” the U.S. president said.

Michigan is one of the states hit hardest by the trade war between the two countries, due to the state’s automakers ​relying on integrated cross-border supply chains. According to the Canadian government, Michigan exports $21.2 billion in goods to Canada annually, and imports $43.5 billion. It adds that 333 Canadian-owned businesses employ 40,300 workers in Michigan.

Meanwhile, Michigan has become a key battleground for the upcoming U.S. midterms and is currently considered a toss-up for the Senate race by The Cook Political Report.

Rogers is running against Democrat candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who has also focused on the trade war with Canada as part of his campaign.

Responding to Rogers’ recent video, El-Sayed wrote on X: “Must have had one too many of those LaBatts, Mike. You cheerled this tariff war from the beginning and you’re flip-flopping now because your poll numbers are in free fall.”

Must have had one too many of those LaBatts, Mike. You cheerled this tariff war from the beginning and you’re flip-flopping now because your poll numbers are in free fall.

Donald is the reason we’re in a trade war. And he’s the reason you’re running.

Not a serious person. https://t.co/2VwgB8FNf4

— Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) October 7, 2026

The Democrats need to gain four more seats to win back the Senate majority in the upcoming mid-term elections on Nov. 3.

Canada’s Industry Minister, ⁠Melanie Joly, has previously been open about the fact that Canadian counter-tariffs were in part designed to “target states” and “put political pressure” on the Trump administration.

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