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 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.

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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.

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

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.