Michigan Republican faces pressure during heated debate on Trump's Canada tariffs

GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers faced pressure over U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war with Canada during a heated debate tonight.

Rogers was asked about his changing stance on tariffs targeting Canada — noting his advertisement released Wednesday that went against a previous stance supporting the duties.

Rogers responded that he talked with the White House this week urging the Trump administration to get a deal with Canada done.

Rogers is facing off against Democrat candidate Abdul El-Sayed in one of the most-followed Senate races ahead of the November midterm elections.

El-Sayed, when asked about a similar situation with Canada, said that Trump's tariff regime is chaotic and is costing Michiganders money.

But El-Sayed didn't fully rule out tariffs, saying they make sense when they are used alongside an industrial policy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2026.

— By Kelly Geraldine Malone in Washington