Mike Rogers urges end to Canada trade war to protect Michigan jobs

Mike Rogers, the Michigan Republican running for the U.S. Senate, said on Tuesday that the trade war with Canada must end, calling for immediate tariff relief on Canadian goods that hurt Michigan’s economy. Rogers made the statement during a campaign stop in Detroit, where he urged lawmakers to negotiate a new trade agreement that would lift the tariffs imposed on Canadian lumber, steel and auto parts. The remarks came after he previously called for an end to the U.S. war on Iran, showing a pattern of breaking with the Trump administration’s hard‑line positions.

The U.S.–Canada trade dispute began in 2018 when the Trump administration imposed tariffs on Canadian lumber, sparking a series of retaliatory measures. Canada then hit U.S. automakers with tariffs on cars and auto parts, a move that hit Michigan’s auto industry hard. Michigan’s auto and lumber sectors are the largest contributors to the state’s GDP, and the tariffs have driven up production costs, slowed supply chains and put thousands of jobs at risk. The trade war has also strained the long‑standing economic partnership that has benefited both countries for decades. Rogers, a former U.S. Representative and Army Ranger, has long highlighted the importance of trade for Michigan’s prosperity.

Rogers said the tariffs “have put Michigan in a difficult position” and that “a bipartisan solution is needed now.” He called on the Biden administration and Congress to negotiate a new trade framework that would reduce costs for Michigan businesses and restore the flow of Canadian goods. Rogers’ stance is a departure from the Trump administration’s aggressive trade posture, and he has warned that continued tariffs could lead to higher consumer prices and lost competitiveness for Michigan firms. Industry groups in Michigan, including the Michigan Association of Manufacturers, have welcomed Rogers’ call for a reset, while Canadian officials have expressed willingness to negotiate a fresh agreement.

If Rogers gains traction, he plans to push for a bipartisan trade task force that would work with the U.S. Trade Representative and Canadian officials to renegotiate tariffs. He also hinted at a potential “Michigan‑Canada trade summit” to bring together business leaders and policymakers. The outcome could reshape Michigan’s trade relationships and restore confidence in the state’s key industries. The