{"id":2649082,"date":"2026-08-24T18:35:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T22:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/canada-trade-war-puts-border-state-republicans-on-defense\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T18:35:56","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T22:35:56","slug":"canada-trade-war-puts-border-state-republicans-on-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/canada-trade-war-puts-border-state-republicans-on-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada trade war puts border state Republicans on defense"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcanada-trade-war-puts-border-state-republicans-on-defense%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2649082&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>the article discusses the escalation of the US-Canada trade war, which is affecting the upcoming US midterm elections. Democrats are criticizing the tariffs imposed by President trump, blaming them for rising costs and economic instability, especially in border states key to Senate races like Michigan, Ohio, Maine, and Alaska. Republican figures, including Senator Susan Collins, have called the tariffs a mistake and urged for negotiations, even though the White House defends its trade policies. The trade tensions, along with the ongoing conflict involving Iran, are influencing voter sentiment, with Democrats leveraging these issues to challenge Republican incumbents. The recent failure to reach a trade agreement with Canada and the proposed additional tariffs have raised concerns among Republicans about economic impacts. The situation remains tense, with political implications as the country approaches the midterm elections, and both sides exchanging criticisms over blame and policy strategies.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A renewed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/4697967\/what-to-know-us-canada-trade-war\/\">trade war<\/a> with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/canada\/\">Canada<\/a> is bleeding into the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\">midterm elections<\/a> as Democrats use the economic volatility to woo voters concerned about the cost of living this fall.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrats are highlighting what they label as the \u201cdevastating\u201d impact of tariffs President Donald Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4698038\/trump-50-percent-tariffs-canadian-cars-auto-parts-steel\/\">imposed<\/a> after trade negotiations with Canada fell apart over the weekend.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4698692\/canada-trade-war-border-state-republicans-defense\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Canada trade war puts border state Republicans on defense: \u2018Not helpful\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4698749\/aaron-day-new-hampshire-trump-lutnick-ultimatum-senate-spoiler\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Independent gives Trump 10 days to fire Lutnick, or he\u2019ll run as spoiler for New Hampshire Senate<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4698678\/maga-inc-donations-south-carolina-senate-race-boost-darline-graham-nordone\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump super PAC pours $828,000 into South Carolina to boost Graham Nordone<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those warnings are loudest in border states that could decide the balance of power on Capitol Hill, including Michigan, Ohio, and Maine, where Democrats are targeting vulnerable incumbents and their voting records in Congress.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even Republicans such as Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), a centrist who has repeatedly voted <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3868596\/senate-votes-undo-trump-canada-tariffs-second-rebuke\/\" rel=\"noopener\">against<\/a> Canadian tariffs, have been tied to the trade war by Democrats, with Troy Jackson, her general election opponent, pointing to one exception to those votes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen Susan Collins was given the chance to stop Trump\u2019s tariffs from raising the cost of groceries and everyday goods, she <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.senate.gov\/legislative\/LIS\/roll_call_votes\/vote1191\/vote_119_1_00176.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">voted no<\/a>,\u201d said Jackson spokesman Dan Gottlieb. \u201cThat\u2019s why Mainers say she votes too much with Trump.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Saturday, Collins <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/cspan\/status\/2091912504934805644?s=20\">called<\/a> the new round of tariffs a \u201cmistake\u201d and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SenatorCollins\/status\/2091247135026970930?s=20\">urged<\/a> the United States and Canada to \u201creturn to the negotiating table.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When asked for comment, a Collins spokeswoman called the exception a \u201cmeaningless messaging amendment\u201d that Senate Democrats introduced \u201cto try to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/21-house-republicans-vote-against-awarding-medals-to-all-police-who-were-at-january-6-riot\/\" title=\"21 House Republicans Vote Against A...ding Medals To All Police Who Were At January 6 Riot\">score cheap political points<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tariff criticism from Democrats is part of a larger strategy tapping into voter anxieties about the economy, something that helped Republicans take unified control of Washington in 2024 after a spike in inflation under then-President Joe Biden.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The war in Iran and its impact on gas prices is also a pillar of that messaging, as polls show Trump\u2019s approval ratings on the economy, normally a point of strength for Republicans, declining <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/approval\/donald-trump\/issues\/economy\">since the conflict began<\/a> in late February.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For that reason, there is some question over how much of an impact the trade spat alone will have on voters come November, when Republicans are defending their narrow control of both the House and Senate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One GOP operative involved in Ohio politics argued the Iran war is a \u201cfar bigger issue\u201d and that concern over tariffs, something Trump has used as a point of leverage since his first term, is at this point \u201cbaked in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the timing of the latest duties, occurring little more than two months before the midterm elections, has some Republicans viewing the trade spat as an unforced error that could turn off voters in the states most reliant on Canadian trade.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jason Roe, a GOP operative in Michigan politics, said the \u201cerratic\u201d way the tariffs have been leveled against one of the U.S.\u2019s biggest trading partners is \u201cproblematic for business and farming, and undermines our arguments on cost of living issues.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He acknowledged the administration\u2019s rationale for imposing the tariffs \u2014 to bring American jobs back from overseas \u2014 but added that \u201cthe timing of this escalation with Canada is not helpful to Republicans in Michigan as we have a uniquely interdependent economic relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There have been two sets of tariffs threatened or imposed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4697211\/us-canada-trade-deal-collapse\/\">since<\/a> Saturday, when a deal with Canada fell apart. Among other goods, the 50% tariffs apply to electronics, dairy products, and vehicle parts, a duty expected to affect Michigan\u2019s auto industry.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collins raised concern on Saturday that a widening trade war could hurt niche industries in Maine, which relies on Canadian processing facilities across the border for its blueberries and lobster.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It could also affect states such as Alaska, where Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) is running in a toss-up race for Senate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAmericans are paying more for everything because GOP Senate candidates have served as a rubber stamp for Trump\u2019s chaotic tariffs at the expense of their states,\u201d Tommy Garcia, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a statement. \u201cCome November, voters will hold them accountable for making life more expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Republican Senatorial Committee and several GOP Senate campaigns did not respond to a request for comment, but Republicans have previously blamed the rising cost of living on the last administration and its push for green energy. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bob Salera, a former staffer for the GOP\u2019s House and Senate campaign arms, said there are still a lot of Trump voters in states like Ohio open to the sort of tariffs the president imposed on Canada and most other countries since retaking office in 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt isn\u2019t a slam dunk for Democrats to say a trade war is a bad thing, because a lot of folks are very amenable to the idea that there needs to be more trade barriers, even against our neighbors here in North America,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The failure to reach a trade deal with Canada, something that seemed imminent just a few days ago, represents the latest turn in Trump\u2019s monthslong trade war. Since he entered office last year, the president has imposed hefty duties on countries as a bargaining chip, only to reduce or remove those levies in exchange for concessions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The White House has defended that approach, laying blame for the scuttled trade deal at the feet of last-minute changes introduced by Canada.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCanada tore up an incredibly generous and fair trade deal with the Trump administration to instead demand unrestricted access to the American economy while boxing American exports out of its market,\u201d said White House spokesman Kush Desai. \u201cPresident Trump will never waver from putting Americans and America First.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Canada, in turn, has leveled the same accusation at the U.S., arguing that American negotiators were the ones walking away from a delicate compromise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Past trade spats have blown over with Trump allowing more time for negotiations or reaching a compromise. Still, the trade war has compounded GOP concerns that the party is barreling toward November with a political weight on its back that could endanger Republicans\u2019 prospects of holding on to their narrow majorities in the House and Senate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Republicans had hoped the Iran war, launched to destroy Tehran\u2019s nuclear program, would only last a handful of weeks, but negotiations to broker a peace deal have similarly fallen apart with no end to the conflict in sight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the latest attacks from Democrats came Monday, when ex-Sen. Sherrod Brown, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Ohio, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AdImpact_Pol\/status\/2091908942435582348?s=20\">released an ad<\/a> blaming incumbent Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) for the \u201cout of control\u201d cost of gasoline and fertilizer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrats will have a difficult time flipping the Senate, where Republicans hold a three-seat majority, but could conceivably do so in a blue wave year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It would only take a few Democratic pickups in the House for Republicans to lose control of the chamber, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cookpolitical.com\/ratings\/house-race-ratings\">more than a half-dozen<\/a> of the closest races will be fought in states bordering Canada.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As of Monday afternoon, Trump and Canadian leaders were still sparring with one another. Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, said his country should target \u201c<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/sarobertson_\/status\/2091950858812473839?s=20\">deep red states<\/a>\u201d to ensure that \u201cAmerica\u2019s economy feels the pain.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/4697967\/what-to-know-us-canada-trade-war\/\"><strong>WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE IMPENDING US-CANADA TRADE \u2018WAR\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The president warned Canada to \u201cfall in line\u201d and called Ford an uninspiring \u201cflunky\u201d of Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The initial round of tariffs took effect on Saturday, with Trump\u2019s follow-up threat of further 50% tariffs slated to take effect in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/117150758113256193\">January<\/a> \u2014 after the midterm elections.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trade tensions with Canada impact midterms, Democrats highlight tariffs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3311,"featured_media":2649083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/susan-collins-trump-canada-tariffs.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[55231,3957,32402,3756,32403],"class_list":["post-2649082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-border-states","tag-canada","tag-international-relations","tag-republicans","tag-trade-war"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/susan-collins-trump-canada-tariffs.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649082","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3311"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2649082"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649082\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2649086,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649082\/revisions\/2649086"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2649083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2649082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2649082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2649082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}