These Michigan swing voters are bracing for higher prices from trade war with Canada
NPR reports on focus groups in Michigan where swing voters expressed concern that trade tensions and tariffs with Canada will lead to higher consumer prices. Participants fear these economic policies will exacerbate the current affordability crisis ahead of the midterms.
Why it matters
It highlights how international trade policy directly impacts the economic sentiment of voters in key battleground states.
President Trump's tariff standoff with Canada is rankling some key voters ahead of this year's midterm elections.
NPR observed two online focus groups Wednesday night with 13 people in Michigan who voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and then Trump in 2024. Eleven of these swing voters said the trade war with Canada, which borders Michigan, would be bad for the state. Not a single person said they felt there was something positive to gain from this tension with their northern neighbor.
A majority of the participants said they are most worried higher tariffs could worsen an affordability crisis — a central issue in this year's midterms. Nine said they were concerned Trump's tariffs would affect what they personally pay for some products.
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