Republican Senate candidate in Michigan, Mike Rogers, has altered his stance on President Donald Trump’s tariff policy just weeks before the upcoming election.
His campaign has unveiled an advertisement advocating for an end to the “tariff war” with Canada, suggesting that resolving this conflict could help alleviate consumer prices in the state. Rogers had previously defended the tariffs as essential for economic stability but seems to have reconsidered as voters grow increasingly frustrated with rising costs.
“Here in Michigan, Canada isn’t our enemy. We need to put a stop to this tariff war right now,” he states in the advertisement. “As your senator, my priority will be uniting both parties to bring down your prices. That’s job number one.”
In the past, Rogers was a vocal supporter of Trump’s tariffs, claiming in an August statement that they were crucial for the economy in Michigan. He stated, “President Trump is correct to place America first—tariffs are necessary, yet they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution.” He also criticized his opponents, Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters, for being absent on this issue. His approach aimed at working alongside Trump to negotiate a favorable trade deal with Canada for farmers and autoworkers in Michigan.
The Detroit Free Press posed a question to Rogers on September 22 regarding whether Trump should rethink his strategy to raise tariffs on Canadian imports to 50%. Rogers implied that he would be in support of it, asserting that Trump’s trade policies have been beneficial for Michigan.
Meanwhile, other Republicans from northern states, like Susan Collins of Maine and former New Hampshire Senator John Sununu, have expressed disapproval of this tariff strategy.
Rogers’ campaign did not respond to inquiries from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has criticized Rogers for seemingly changing his position as he falls behind in polls. El-Sayed has campaigned against the tariffs, attributing the policy directly to Rogers and Trump, dubbing them “Trump and Mike Rogers’ tariffs.”
In a post on X, El-Sayed remarked, “Looks like someone’s had one too many LaBatts, Mike. You cheered on this tariff war from the start, and now you’re flipping because your poll numbers are tanking. Donald’s the reason we’re in this trade war—and the reason you’re running. You’re not serious.”
As of Thursday, El-Sayed was leading Rogers by an average of 3.2 points, according to RealClearPolling.
Rogers has also shown inconsistency regarding the Iran war, saying in a September advertisement that it needed to end to reduce costs, contradicting his earlier claims that Iran was an “imminent threat.”
In July, Trump announced a 50% tariff on various Canadian goods under the Tariff Act of 1930, intending to compel trade concessions. He also imposed bans on specific products from Canada, which took effect on September 29, accusing Canada of maintaining unjust trade barriers against American products. The trade relationship is crucial for Michigan, which conducts around $80 billion in annual trade with Canada, making it particularly vulnerable to tariff impacts.
Canada is a key trading partner of the U.S., ranking second after Mexico. The Ambassador Bridge connects Detroit and Ontario and accounts for about 25% of trade between the two countries. A significant volume of car parts and assembled vehicles flows through this bridge daily.
Approximately 68% of independent voters in Michigan disapproved of the 50% tariffs imposed by Trump, as found in a Washington Post and Schar School poll.
Trump expressed discontent with renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and sought to renegotiate it because he believed it had not effectively reduced trade deficits with Canada and Mexico.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to the situation by ceasing trade talks with Trump, labeling the changes as “unfair.” Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the tariffs, suggesting they equate Canada to “Communist China.”
“He treats us like we’re some kind of enemy—when we are the closest friends and allies the U.S. has anywhere in the world, and I want to keep it that way,” Ford stated.
Carney has also reached out to Europe and China in an effort to diversify trade amidst the ongoing conflict with the U.S. Trump, however, termed this move a “hostile act,” warning of strict tariffs on the EU if it went ahead.
Affordability remains a vital concern for voters nationwide before the midterm elections. Higher tariffs can lead to increased prices for everyday goods, including groceries, which have already surged since the start of the Iran war.
Gas prices in the U.S. have risen significantly—by about 44% to 50% since the beginning of the Iran conflict. Current averages for regular gas stand at $4.36, while Diesel is around $6.30. Just last October, Diesel averaged $3.28.
Seventeen percent of adults in the U.S. approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, and 26% approve of his overall economic management, per a survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Nearly half of U.S. adults expressed deep concern about the ability to afford gas, a figure that has risen from 39% since July.
On a related note, leaked audio from Republican Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton revealed concerns that the war and rising gas prices are adversely impacting his campaign.
