Mike Rogers Breaks With Trump Over Canadian Tariffs

Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers broke with President Donald Trump on Wednesday by calling for an immediate end to the trade war and tariffs on Canadian goods. In a new advertisement released before the candidates' first debate, Rogers stated that Canada is not an enemy and urged a stop to the tariff fight.

This position marks a shift for Rogers, who previously defended the 50% tariff Trump imposed this summer on approximately $20 billion of Canadian goods. The trade dispute is a critical issue in Michigan, where roughly 36% of exports are destined for Canada.

Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed characterized the change in stance as flip-flopping driven by falling poll numbers. Rogers is competing for the seat vacated by retiring Senator Gary Peters. In addition to his trade position, Rogers has recently advocated for a one-year moratorium on new data-center construction in Michigan and a quick end to the war in Iran.