'Canada is not our enemy': Michigan Republican Senate candidate breaks with Trump on trade war
Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has released an ad opposing trade tariffs on Canada, marking a shift from his previous support for Trump's trade policies. Donald Trump dismissed the ad, reiterating his stance that Canada has historically taken advantage of the U.S. economy.
Why it matters
The disagreement highlights internal friction within the Republican party regarding trade protectionism and economic strategy.
Mike Rogers released a new 30-second ad criticizing the tariffs while sitting in a sports bar with a Labatt beer, a Canadian brand popular in border states like his.
"Here in Michigan we know that Canada is not on our enemy. We need to end this tariff war now," Rogers says in the ad, as an image of the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Windsor and Detroit, appears on screen.
"As Michigan's senator, I'll bring both parties together to lower your prices. That's job No. 1," Rogers says in the spot.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office later Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump was dismissive of the ad, recasting Rogers's trade war message.
"Well, I viewed it as though he wanted Canada to make a deal," Trump said.
Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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