U.S. politicians condemn Trump’s ‘chaotic’ trade war against Canada

U.S. political leaders, including at least one Republican, are warning that President Donald Trump’s escalating trade feud with Canada will raise costs for U.S. families and businesses, while damaging a longstanding relationship with the nation’s closest ally.

The widespread criticism comes after Canada pulled out of trade talks late Friday night and promised 50 per cent U.S. tariffs on CA$20 billion in Canadian imports kicked in on Saturday.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Saturday that Canada would enact dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs on Sept. 8, the Tuesday after Labour Day.

As happened during the Trump administration’s initial trade hostilities in 2025, the dispute has become a major political issue in states that rely heavily on trade with Canada.

“Canada is NOT the 51st state. Trump owes our friends and neighbors an apology for nearly 2 years of his boorish insults and jeers, ” Democratic Washington State Senator Patty Murray wrote on X, calling Canada the state’s largest trading partner.

Canada is NOT the 51st state. Trump owes our friends and neighbors an apology for nearly 2 years of his boorish insults and jeers.Canada IS Washington state’s biggest trading partner and our country’s closest ally.Dump Trump’s tariffs. NO TRADE WAR. 🇺🇸🇨🇦

According to the Washington Council on International Trade, 29 per cent of all imports between April 2025 and this March — approximately $21 billion in goods — came from Canada.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also warned that her state is “uniquely impacted” by what she called Washington Republicans’ “ongoing, chaotic tariff wars with Canada.”

“These tariffs act as a tax hike on Michigan families and businesses by raising prices at the grocery store and the gas pump,” she posted on X.

Her Michigan democratic ally, Congresswoman Haley Stevens, said the new tariffs would make life more expensive for residents of a state linked to Canada for centuries as “partners, allies and close friends.”

“You don’t rob your neighbor,” she said in an X post. “This trade war must end so we can get our economy back on track. I will keep pushing to block Donald Trump’s tariff regime and keep fighting to lower costs for Michiganders.”

This morning, Michiganders woke up to the news that their costs are going to once again skyrocket because of Donald Trump’s failed presidency.For centuries, Michigan and Canada have been partners, allies, and close friends. Trump’s reckless and unnecessary trade war is blowing…