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Michigan Senate nominee Mike Rogers urges end to Canada tariff war in new ad

Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers released a 30-second ad saying "Canada is not our enemy" and calling for an end to the tariff war, without naming President Trump. Democrats and commentators say it contradicts his earlier support for Trump's trade policy.

3 outlets · 1L · 0C · 2R First reported Account updated
Image: Raw Story
Image: Just the News
Image: Washington Examiner

1 / 3

The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee for Michigan's open Senate seat and a former congressman, released a campaign ad on Wednesday 7 October 2026 calling for an end to the US trade fight with Canada. Left · 1In the 30-second spot, set in a bar, Rogers says he is drinking a Labatt and watching the Red Wings. He says "Canada is not our enemy" and "We need to end this tariff war — now." The ad does not name President Donald Trump. Mixed · 2He promises to "bring both parties together to lower your prices". According to Raw Story, the ad also accuses his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, of wanting to hit Michigan families with a "$3,000 tax increase".

Mixed · 2Raw Story, citing CNN, says Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian imports, a heavy blow to Michigan's economy. Just the News says a trade deal between Ottawa and Washington nearly came together earlier this year but fell apart at the last minute, leading to a public spat between Trump and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Left · 1Raw Story describes the ad as a sharp turn. It notes that Rogers called tariffs "necessary" as recently as August, and that last month he said Trump's war with Iran needs to "end quickly". Left · 1Raw Story's second report quotes Democratic critics, who called the ad "phony". Danny Kazin of American Bridge and Joey Hannum of the Michigan Democratic Party said Rogers had backed Trump's tariffs from the start. Hannum cited a remark from last month that "the Canadians have not been good partners."

Left · 1The same report recalls that in February Rogers backed Trump's threat to keep the Gordie Howe International Bridge from opening, saying he wanted the president "to have some leverage". It also recalls that on 17 September Reuters reported he had argued his close relationship with Trump would help blunt the trade war's impact. Left · 1Rogers faces El-Sayed in November for the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, in a race that could decide control of the Senate. Raw Story cites a Pollsmax average with Rogers trailing 47.3% to 43.9%, and Reuters reporting that the Cook Political Report rates the race a toss-up. Politico reported on 22 September that tariffs were hurting Republicans in Michigan House races. Left · 1El-Sayed has criticised both the tariffs and the Iran war. Last month he called the Canada trade fight a "vanity war". He told CNN that Rogers is "caught between knowing full well that these tariffs are bad for Michiganders and having to appeal to Daddy Trump".

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Frames the ad as an electoral move by a vulnerable Republican, and as a reversal of his earlier support for Trump's tariffs. It leads with the break from Trump and then with the backlash.
Emphasis
Rogers's earlier statements backing tariffs and the Canada fight, Democratic critics, his polling deficit and El-Sayed's attacks.
Leaves out or plays down
Gives little of Rogers's own explanation beyond the ad's text, and little background on the failed trade deal.
Charged language
“Vulnerable Republican”“'Phony'”“sudden break”“MAGA Republican”
For example
“joining several Republicans in competitive governor and Senate races who have put space between themselves and the president.” — Raw Story
“drew backlash after releasing ads calling for an end to President Donald Trump's tariff war with Canada, a fight he had long defended” — Raw Story

Centre0 outlets

No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Right2 outlets

Framing
Short news report that opens with the failed US-Canada trade deal and the Trump-Ford spat. It presents the ad as a call for rapprochement in a close Senate race.
Emphasis
Trade-talks background, Rogers's social media post and the race being one of the closest of the cycle.
Leaves out or plays down
Leaves out Rogers's earlier defence of the tariffs, the criticism of the ad, the polling and the 50 percent tariff figure.
Charged language
“tariff war”“Lake America”
For example
“Rogers, who is seeking Michigan's open Senate seat, called for a rapprochement with Canada in his latest ad.” — Just the News
“in what is expected to be one of the closest races of the cycle in the battle for the upper chamber.” — Just the News