Four out of four major statewide candidates agree: Michigan needs smart trade

After a week of debates in Michigan, Republican, Democratic candidates for governor, U.S. Senate all call for smart, consistent trade policies

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Smart Trade Alliance (MISTA) today commended the bipartisan nature of both candidates for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat, and Michigan’s candidates for governor, for publicly opposing the escalating trade war with Canada and the damage it is doing to Michigan families, workers and businesses.

 

"All major statewide candidates of both parties are now where Michigan voters have been all along," MISTA spokesperson John Sellek said. "Our polling has shown that Michigan voters don’t want a trade war with our neighbor and largest trading partner. Michigan needs certainty and clarity on trade to lower prices. We urge whoever wins this seat, and every member of Michigan's congressional delegation, to press for an extension of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and a stable, predictable trade relationship with our largest customer. Tough where America is cheated, steady where America builds.”

 

Ahead of Thursday’s U.S. Senate debate, candidate Mike Rogers announced today that “Here in Michigan, we know that Canada is not our enemy. We need to end this tariff war now."

 

And, during last night’s Michigan gubernatorial debate, candidate John James said, “I've actually called out the administration, specifically talking with the trade ambassador in saying that we must get back to the table, stop acting like children, and negotiate reciprocal, fair and mutually beneficial arrangement..."

 

"For months, MISTA has been speaking out on behalf of Michigan manufacturers, farmers, small businesses and tourism employers in every corner of this state, making the point that Canada is our partner, not our adversary, and this tariff war is costing Michigan dearly," said MISTA spokesman Mark Fisk. "That message has been heard. When both candidates in the most closely watched Senate race in the country agree that the trade war must end, the debate in Michigan is over. Now Washington and Congress need to catch up."

 

Rogers today released a campaign ad calling for an immediate end to the tariff war, declaring that Canada is not Michigan's enemy. Candidate Abdul El-Sayed has repeatedly criticized the tariffs for driving up costs for Michigan families.

 

At their first debate last night in Grand Rapids, Democratic governor nominee Jocelyn Benson pledged to call Canada on her first day in office to negotiate a Michigan-Canada agreement shielding cross-border goods from tariffs. Republican governor nominee James said he has pressed the administration's trade ambassador to get back to the table with Canada and negotiate a fair, reciprocal deal.

 

Since January 2025, Michigan families have paid $27.2 billion in tariff-driven costs. That’s more than $6,600 per household, the highest per-household burden of any state, driven by Michigan's auto-sector exposure and its proximity to Canada. In total dollars, Michigan ranks third nationally, behind only California and Texas.

 

Michigan voters have noticed. MISTA has led a statewide public education effort on the costs of the trade war. As part of that effort, it commissioned an Ipsos KnowledgePanel survey of Michigan likely voters. The survey found:

 

• Eighty percent of likely voters say American consumers pay the cost of tariffs.

 

• Large bipartisan majorities support congressional action to increase trade with trusted allies like Canada and Mexico when it protects jobs and lowers costs. Support stands at 92% of Republicans, 89% of Democrats and 90% of independents.

 

• Majorities across party lines are more likely to back a candidate who says, "I support smart trade that protects Michigan jobs." That includes 82% of Republicans, 82% of Democrats and 79% of independents.

 

• Seventy-six percent of Republicans, 73% of Democrats and 70% of independents want trade enforcement focused on countries like China while keeping favorable trade policies with Canada and Mexico.

 

• Eighty-one percent of Republicans and 92% of Democrats say the U.S.-Canada trade relationship is critical to Michigan's economy.

 

The Ipsos survey of 559 Michigan likely voters was conducted July 6-8, 2026. The margin of error is ±5.1 percentage points, and it is higher for subgroups.