Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has abruptly reversed his stance on President Donald Trump's tariffs, now calling for an immediate end to the trade war with Canada. In a new campaign ad released this week, Rogers argues that the dispute is raising costs for businesses and consumers, stating, "Here in Michigan, we know that Canada is not our enemy. We need to end this tariff war now." This marks a sharp departure from his comments just weeks ago, when he defended Trump's tariffs as a necessary part of the president's economic agenda.
The shift highlights the political pressures facing Republican candidates in battleground states, where voters remain concerned about prices and the economy. Michigan's economy is deeply intertwined with Canada, conducting roughly $80 billion in annual trade, with automakers and suppliers relying on cross-border supply chains. Industry leaders have warned that prolonged tariffs could disrupt these chains and threaten jobs.
Rogers' new position also represents the second major policy area in recent weeks where he has distanced himself from Trump. Last month, he called for a swift end to the war with Iran, another break from White House policy. Neither ad mentioned Trump by name, but both diverged from administration policies ahead of the midterm elections.
The Michigan Senate race, between Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, is one of the nation's most competitive. El-Sayed has criticized Rogers' reversal, accusing him of flip-flopping due to falling poll numbers. Rogers, meanwhile, has argued that his relationship with Trump would help resolve the dispute while lowering costs for Michigan families.