Michigan’s Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has signaled his willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration to end the ongoing trade war with Canada. During an interview with MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Thursday, El-Sayed, a Democrat, criticized Trump’s tariffs on Canadian imports, calling them “stupid.” He emphasized his readiness to work with the administration on issues like halting these tariffs if it aligns with public interests.
The trade war has significantly impacted Michigan’s economy, particularly its automotive sector. In 2025, Michigan imported over C$20 billion worth of autos and trucks from Canada and exported C$10 billion in return. Trump’s 25% tariffs on auto imports from Canada, along with threats to raise them to 50% starting January 1, 2027, have escalated tensions. Canada has retaliated with similar tariffs, further straining relations.
Beyond autos, Michigan’s agricultural exports to Canada dropped by 12.3% from 2024 to 2025, resulting in a US$145 million shortfall. El-Sayed described the tariff war as “insane” during a later interview with CNN, arguing that it harms the U.S.’s largest trading partner without economic justification.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has noted intensified trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S., though he did not comment on their current status. Windsor’s mayor, Drew Dilkens, expressed hope that the Democrats’ return to congressional dominance could ease trade tensions, warning that a 50% tariff hike would be “catastrophic” for the region’s auto manufacturing sector.