Republicans Struggle to Find Winning Message on Canada Trade Dispute

Republican Senate candidates in Michigan and Maine are navigating the impact of President Trump's trade war with Canada, which has raised concerns about affordability and hurt industries closely tied to the Canadian economy.

The US imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods last month, prompting retaliatory measures from Canada that took effect on September 8. According to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll, Americans are four times as likely to blame Washington for the trade dispute rather than Ottawa.

Senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican in Maine, has criticized Trump's approach and sought carveouts for affected industries, breaking with the president's orthodoxy on this issue. By contrast, Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers has defended the tariffs and emphasized his close relationship with Trump.

David Hopkins, a political scientist at Boston College, notes that both candidates will need to appeal beyond their party base to win their races, as voters have soured on Trump's handling of the economy and the trade war.